TASHKENT. On June 7, the official closing ceremony of the second Central Asian International Environmental Forum took place. The forum was attended by 300 people - representatives of Central Asian countries, international and regional organizations, diplomatic missions, leading experts in the field of environmental protection, leaders and representatives of the environmental sector. The forum was organized by the Government of the Republic of Uzbekistan, State Committee of the Republic of Uzbekistan on ecology and environmental protection and Regional Environmental Centre for Central Asia.
The closing ceremony of the forum began with the collective appeal of the youth of Central Asia and Afghanistan. In which delegates stressed the importance of strengthening cooperation.
Muhammet Durikov, Director of the National Institute of Deserts, Flora and Fauna under the State Committee for Environmental Protection and Land Resources of Turkmenistan, and the Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Regional Environmental Centre for Central Asia made presentations.
The first speaker was Murgen Yusupov, a representative of the delegation of Turkmenistan. Mr Yusupov read out the appeal of Batyrmurad Orazmuradov, chairman of the State Committee of Turkmenistan for Environmental Protection and Land Resources. "This forum has proven the intention to develop close cooperation in the direction of preserving the environment," Orazmuradov stressed in the speech. Mr Orazmuradov expressed his confidence that the main result of the forum was the turn to more active cooperation and also expressed gratitude to the organizers of CAIEF 2018.
Zulfukhar Zholdasov, deputy chairman of the Committee for Environmental Regulation and Control of the Ministry of Energy of the Republic of Kazakhstan, addressed the forum participants: "We have a big responsibility to improve the environmental situation in Central Asia and Afghanistan".
Head of the Kyrgyz delegation Arsen Ryspekov, deputy director of the State Agency for Environmental Protection and Forestry noted that the forum confirmed that the thematic areas are of particular importance in environmental issues. Mr Ryspekov also expressed the opinion that the overall activity of the region will be as successful as the countries work is coordinated.
Chairman of the Committee for Environmental Protection under the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan Khairullo Ibodzoda noted that the Central Asian International Environmental Forum should be held every year. "I think that everyone will agree that these days have allowed us to work fruitfully," Mr Ibodzoda stressed.
The next speaker was the head of the delegation of Afghanistan, Shah Zaman Mayvandi, Director General of the National Agency for Environmental Protection of Afghanistan. Mr Mayvandi noted that the forum provided an opportunity to disseminate information, to learn lessons. He also stressed that during the CAIEF he had the opportunity to hold a series of important meetings that will help strengthen the cooperation of the countries of Central Asia and Afghanistan. "Although our activities end today, let’s keep in touch and continue the conversation we started”, - Mr Mayvandi concluded.
The director of the Central Asian Regional Environmental Center, Dr Iskandar Abdullayev, also addressed the forum participants. Doctors Abdullaev explained that the forum does not finish its work completely yet, on June 8, the opening of the CAREC-TIIAME Innovation and Scientific Research Cluster, the Aral Conference and the special session on water cooperation will be held.
"It is encouraging to see that the forum is becoming a regular platform for the formation of joint solutions for sustainable development and environmental protection in Central Asia," said Executive Director of CAREC Dr Iskandar Abdullaev.
Dr Abdullaev expressed gratitude to the Government of Uzbekistan and members of national delegations: "Without their contribution, environmental cooperation in the region would be incomplete." Dr Iskandar Abdullaev also noted the importance of the work of journalists, which help to raise awareness of civil society.
Dr Abdullayev mentioned that CAIEF 2018 allowed participants to inform the trends in the development of the legal and institutional framework, research cooperation, as well as the introduction of public-private partnership on the key topics of the forum. Participants of the forum discussed best practices and technologies, lessons learned, as well as opportunities for attracting investments. In addition, the forum made it possible to explore opportunities for strengthening regional cooperation, formulate and agree on joint actions in the context of achieving the Sustainable Development Goals for Central Asia.
In addition, the CAREC Executive Director announced the intention of the centre to hold a forum next year: "From tomorrow, preparations for the third forum will begin." The Regional Environmental Centre for Central Asia will begin negotiations with national partners about the venue of the next forum.
In conclusion, Bahrom Kuchkarov, chairman of the State Committee for Ecology and Environmental Protection of the Republic of Uzbekistan, addressed the participants of CAIEF 2018. "I think that we have achieved our goal. The dialogue proceeded, and I want to express my gratitude to the heads of delegations. I think that this dialogue will continue to strengthen."