Speaker Proposal Submission Form

Call for Papers

5th Tashkent Business and Economics Conference (TBEC 2026)

Reimagining the Silk Road: Regional Connectivity and Trade Integration

20-21 OCTOBER, 2026

HYATT REGENCY, TASHKENT, UZBEKISTAN

ABOUT THE CONFERENCE

The 5th Tashkent Business and Economics Conference, TBEC 2026, will look at how to use the Silk Road, as a way of promoting trade integration, regional connectivity, and economic transformation in Central Asia. Central Asia is situated where the East meets the West, and the North meets the South and is an increasingly important piece of the global trade system in this time of changing global value chains, shifting geopolitical alignments and accelerating digitalisation.

Important Dates

AUGUST

14

2026

Extended Abstract / Full Paper Submission Deadline

AUGUST

31

2026

Conference Registration Deadline

OCTOBER

20-21

2026

Conference Dates

Submission Link for Extended Abstract and Full Paper: https://tbec.wiut.uz/submission

Dr. Komiljon Karimov

Conference Chair

Rector, WIUT

Dr. Bakhrom Mirkasimov

Conference Co-Chair

Deputy Rector Research and Innovation, WIUT

Dr. Zohid Askarov

Conference Vice Chair

Dean of WIUT Business School

OBJECTIVES

Examine how Central Asia has been changing over time as far as trade, both regionally and internationally, as well as changes in investment flows.
Analyse ways to connect regions with one another through different means of transportation and logistics along the New Silk Road.
Facilitate the use of evidence-based policy discussions regarding trade facilitation, regional cooperation and economic integration.
Promote interdisciplinary research connecting Economic Research, Business Research, Financial Research, Infrastructure Research, and Digital Transformation Research.
Increase the amount of collaborative research with other countries results in visibility of the work relating to Central Asia.

Participation Fee

International Participant: 50 USD

Local participants : 500,000 UZS

Students: 250,000 UZS

Registration Deadline: 31st August 2026

Paper Submission Guidelines

Submissions must be original, unpublished, and not under review elsewhere.
Extended abstracts must not exceed 1,200 words (excluding references).
Full papers should be 5,000 – 7,500 words (singlespaced, Times New Roman, 12pt, 1-inch margins), not exceeding 15 pages in total (excluding references).
Manuscripts must follow APA Style (latest edition) for citations, references, tables, figures, and overall formatting.

EXTENDED ABSTRACT TEMPLATE

SUBMISSION TYPE

Full Papers (completed research; subject to double-blind peer review)

Working Papers / Extended Abstracts (work in progress)

Doctoral Colloquium Papers (PhD students and early-career researchers)

KEYNOTE SPEAKERS AND SPECIAL SESSIONS

Professor Timothy LeeEditor-in-Chief

International Journal of Tourism Research (SSCI)
Professor at Faculty of Hospitality and Tourism Management, Macau University of Science and Technology (MUST).

Professor Marina DabićEditor-in-Chief, Technology in Society (SSCI)

Professor at the University of Ljubljana School of Business and Economics, Slovenia & University of Dubrovnik, Croatia

Professor Datuk Dr. Norma Mansor

President of Malaysian Economic Association and President, Social Wellbeing Research Centre (SWRC), Universiti Malaya.

PANEL DISCUSSIONS

Conference Panel Discussions - 1

Reimagining the Silk Road-Regional Connectivity, Trade Integration, and Central Asia’s Strategic Role

Overview: This flagship panel examines the revival of the Silk Road as a modern framework for trade integration, regional connectivity, and economic cooperation. It brings together policymakers, economists, and regional experts to discuss Central Asia’s evolving role in global and Eurasian value chains.

SDG Alignment: This panel aligns with SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth, SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure and SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals.

Objectives: This panel aims to assess Central Asia’s positioning in global trade, examine cross-border integration mechanisms and identify policy pathways for Silk Road connectivity.

For detailed descriptions of the panel discussions download the Guide.

Conference Panel Discussions - 2

AI and the Future of Human Capital – reshaping the Central Asian Economies and Silk Road

Overview: This panel will cover how the introduction of AI is aiding in the advancement of human capital development throughout the economies located along the Silk Road corridor, as well as those of Central Asia in general. This panel will also discuss how government and private organizations can work together to create forward-thinking policies that will allow for inclusive growth from AI technology within the region.

SDG Alignment: The session aligns closely with Sustainable Development Goal 4 on quality education, Goal 8 on decent work and economic growth, and Goal 9 on industry, innovation and infrastructure.

Objectives: This session will discuss how human resources development, educational systems, and workforce readiness throughout Central Asia and the Silk Road region are being impacted by advancements in AI. Participants will evaluate the impact of AI-based reformation and trans-border labor movement in fostering regional collaboration and inclusive economic development.