MANILA, Oct. 14 (Xinhua) -- The Central Asia bloc is going to sign an energy action plan that focuses on opportunities for regional integration through power development, particularly investments for regional and export opportunities.

    The Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation (CAREC) Energy Action Plan Framework is expected to be endorsed during a major annual conference held in Mongolia from Oct. 14 to 16, the Asian Development Bank (ADB), CAREC's Secretariat since 2000, said in a press release Wednesday.

    "We are seeing greater energy security, efficiency and trade, and landlocked countries are working together more closely to improve connectivity and create jobs," Director General of ADB's Central and West Asia Department Juan Miranda said.

    Miranda said the energy transmission line bringing electricity from Uzbekistan to Afghanistan's capital, Kabul, illustrates the tangible benefits of CAREC cooperation.

    "In bringing electricity to Kabul, CAREC has shown the humane and transformative effects of regional cooperation and collaboration. The city now has a 24-hour power supply, compared with two hours a day just a few months ago," he said.

    The conference, hosted by the Government of Mongolia and attended by ministers from Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Mongolia, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan, aims to build transport and energy infrastructure, simplify border and trade arrangements, and foster closer cooperation among countries in the Central Asia.

    The conference is also expected to endorse the CAREC Program Results Framework which will help track the progress of CAREC's investments and policy programs.

    The CAREC Program was initiated in 1997 with the goal of development through cooperation leading to accelerated economic growth and poverty reduction.