TASHKENT. On March 5-6 CAREC took part in two-day training organised by the Swiss Embassy in Uzbekistan on sanitation for representatives of state and donor organisations, as well as for representatives of civil society.
The training was conducted by a specialist of the Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology (EAWAG). The participants had an exposure to the EAWAG "Handbook of Sanitation Systems and Technologies", which combines all existing and proven technologies to achieve basic sanitation standards (including in rural areas).
Organisers highlighted that sanitation is a critical element in the "Water supply and sanitation" sector, which, unfortunately, is often neglected. In fact, water management systems cannot be efficient without using additional sanitary technologies and practices for preserving the health and well-being of people.
CAREC Environment and Health Programme Manager Irina Bekmirzaeva stressed that the training was very useful and that its results would be used in the development and implementation of projects in Central Asia.
The main goal of the Environment and Health Programme is to identify the relationship between human health and the environment and to help reduce the burden of environmental problems on the health of Central Asian population.
Irina Bekmirzaeva also met with the technical adviser of the Swiss project on water and sanitation Dr André Wehrli (SDC, Kazakhstan) and discussed with him the development of the Environment and Health Programme portfolio. Dr Wehrli showed interest in cooperation in the sphere related to SDG 6 "Ensure access to water and sanitation for all". The parties agreed to continue the discussion on further steps to promote water and sanitation issues, the importance of which is very high especially before the important upcoming events on water and environmental protection (8th World Water Forum, II Central Asian International Environmental Forum and so on).