TASHKENT. The first event in preparation for the II Central Asian International Environmental Forum in Uzbekistan was held on February 20. CAREC branch in Uzbekistan organized a briefing workshop for representatives of diplomatic missions, international and financial organizations working in the country.
“The forum gives countries an opportunity to bring together positions, to outline projects that really solve problems,” CAREC Executive Director Dr Iskandar Abdullaev said during the briefing. “Over the past year, cooperation in Central Asia has significantly improved, for example, on water issues. The political will led to the fact that we now consider water not as a matter of disagreement, but as a matter of cooperation, and this all gives the opportunity to solve problems together. It should also be taken into account that, by restoring cooperation, we restore the economic potential.”
The forum, which is to take place in Tashkent in June 5-8, will be devoted to discussion of “Strengthening cooperation in the field of environment and sustainable development in Central Asia”. It is aimed at strengthening the dialogue between all stakeholders on the issues of environmental protection and the formation of joint actions for the sustainable development of the region.
“Our goal is to create an efficient platform for working out coordinated practical measures aimed at solving regional problems by uniting all stakeholders, including business and the scientific community,” Mr Bakhrom Kuchkarov, the Chairman of the State Committee of the Republic of Uzbekistan on Ecology and Environmental Protection noted in his speech.
The main topics of the forum are:
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Renewable energy and energy efficiency;
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Integrated management of solid domestic waste;
- Conservation of biodiversity and development of a network of protected natural areas.
The following events are planned within the forum:
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Plenary and parallel sessions;
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The First Specialized Exhibition of Environmentally Clean Technologies;
- Partner meeting for sustainable development
“I think this forum is a really important initiative. And what’s particularly helpful is it brings together all the partners who need to take actions: not just talk about the environment but also take action,” Ms Helena Fraser, UN Resident Coordinator/UNDP Resident Representative in Uzbekistan, said after the event. “From the briefing we’ve had just now this looks like a really practical and action-oriented Forum, which should deliver really concrete results and partnerships to tackle the very challenging environmental and ecological problems that face not only in Uzbekistan but in the Central Asian region and, of course, in a wider world.”
The first forum was held in June 2017 in Turkmenistan (Ashgabat). The upcoming forum is expected to involve the heads and specialists of state environmental protection agencies, water management in Europe and Asia, UN agencies, leading international organizations and financial institutions, representatives of scientific and public organizations (about 250 people).
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“The fact that the government of Uzbekistan is the initiator of such a large Forum gives the evidence that the government understands the importance of regional cooperation and association of efforts in addressing environmental issues. Knowing the importance of participation of all Central Asian countries in the discussion of regional issues, the European Union expresses interest in active participation in the Forum,” Mr Doniyor Kuchkarov, EU Delegation Programme Manager, mentioned after the briefing. “To date, the European Union funds a number of environmental projects, both at the regional and national levels, including projects aimed at processing solid domestic waste, which is devoted to one of the plenary sessions of the Forum. It is necessary to discuss in details in which areas the European Union could share its experience, and also to identify what other points of contact are for strengthening mutually advantageous cooperation.”
Uzbekistan supports the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and takes appropriate measures to contribute to the global protection of the environment. The objectives of SDGs implementation are fully embodied in adopted by the President Action Strategy for further development of the Republic of Uzbekistan in 2017-2021.
Today in Uzbekistan, special attention is paid to reducing the negative impact of waste on the environment and public health. The introduction of an integrated waste management system has been started. The priority is given to the modernization of the environmental monitoring system. Measures are being implemented to introduce mechanisms for encouraging cleaner production, supporting “green” entrepreneurship, promoting environmentally friendly waste-free and low-waste technologies. The actions are carried out to conserve biological diversity, especially rare and endangered species of international importance. In accordance with the decision of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, the National Concept for the Protection of the Environment is now being developed.