The Fifth Green Economy Forum in Kyrgyzstan Has Finished by Adoption of its Resolution

November 19, 2019

The fifth Green Economy Week forum brought great results to Kyrgyzstan, the main of which is the resolution adopted within the forum. The forum is a direct call to preserve the environment. Its main advantage is that thanks to this platform, experts and government officials gather and discuss the trend of green economy development, with the advancement of effective ways of its development in individual countries.

During the Week, various events were held throughout the Kyrgyz Republic, the main aim was promoting green economy issues. In particular, exhibitions of green technologies, specialized seminars, round tables on various areas of the green economy, training series and practical meetings were held. "Green Economy - Strong Regions - Sustainable Development of the Country" is the topic of this year's forum. The special green economy model was developed for Kyrgyzstan. The developer worked on it for a year and noted that Kyrgyzstan can create a green economy for itself within a few years.

"I analyzed all the sectors that affect the economy and developed a special economic model for Kyrgyzstan. The training was attended by representatives of various agencies, including the Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Economy and others. If used correctly, Kyrgyzstan will soon be able to increase its GDP per capita as well as its ecology. However, the Kyrgyz people, in turn, need to start taking their steps into the green economy. That is, at the household level, to give up water in plastic bottles, plastic bags in supermarkets, etc. I hope very much that my model will be able to create all the conditions for a green economy here in Kyrgyzstan.

Andrea Bassi, International Expert, Doctor of Economics.

One of them discussed was the issue of improving the mechanisms of processing plastic wastes in Kyrgyzstan. The event was attended by a representative of the Parliament, representative of Ministries and municipal bodies, waste treatment companies, enterprises from various sectors, non-governmental organizations and an expert audience. Deputy Baktybek Turusbekov said that the problem of widespread plastic waste pollution is one of the priorities in the implementation of the country's adopted strategic documents, as concept of the green economy in the Kyrgyz Republic "Kyrgyzstan - the country of the green economy" and the Program for the development of the green economy of the Kyrgyz Republic for 2019 - 2023.

"Joint efforts and continuation of such dialogues, the introduction of consumption practices and waste management, participation of government agencies is an important condition for the development of a "green" economy in Kyrgyzstan. As a representative of the parliament, I consider such approaches to be the most progressive and important for society. I am ready to further support the partnership of state, business and expert circles for the benefit of national interests," he said.

Representatives of the Ministry of Economy of the Kyrgyz Republic and the State Agency for Environmental Protection and Forestry also expressed their readiness to support this initiative and to continue the discussion on waste management and regulation within the framework of the working group to develop optimal solutions and further actions. The roundtable participants presented international experience in addressing environmental pollution problems, approaches, and extended producer responsibility systems in Eastern Europe, South Africa, Belgium, Romania, and Turkey. Besides, the key findings of the survey of current practices in the field of solid waste management in Kyrgyzstan were presented. One of the effective directions of the forum is the exchange of experience. For example, water conservation through green infrastructure shows how natural solutions can stimulate local economies. A water conservation project in China increased farmers' income by 200 percent and raised the level of groundwater in the country. The World Bank had calculated an economic rate of return for those measures from 19 to 24 percent. New knowledge had spurred new initiatives and proposals for the development of a green economy in the country. The head of the Green Economy Action Partnership in Geneva had arrived in Kyrgyzstan to participate in the Green Economy Week forum.

"As there are few factories in Kyrgyzstan that would harm the country's ecology, compare with more industrialized countries, it is possible to create a green economy here. And if factories are to be built, it is necessary to choose environmentally efficient buildings. And don't forget a simple pattern: "You should always start with yourself," for example, do you use a wooden toothbrush or a plastic one? When every Kyrgyz citizen decides to go to a meeting with the green economy, you won't notice how quickly you will achieve the desired results that other countries need to achieve over the years.

 Asad Naqvi, Head of the Green Economy Action Partnership in Geneva.

"Energy efficiency and energy saving as a factor of sustainable and "green" development for the Kyrgyz Republic" is the theme of another event within the Green Economy Week. The promotion of LED lighting is part of a regional project to promote energy efficiency in Kyrgyzstan. The project is implemented by the UNDP office in Kyrgyzstan and financed by the trust fund "Russian Federation - United Nations Development Programme for Development".

"An energy-saving program is being developed in the Kyrgyz Republic until 2025. Standards for natural and artificial lighting have been developed: they will apply to all public buildings that have just been put into operation or are in the process of construction. Sanitary and hygienic lighting standards for public buildings are being developed also," said the UNDP energy consultant.

The main purpose of the forum was to promote and implement the principles of the green economy for sustainable development of the regions of the Kyrgyz Republic. Thus, familiarization with the process of promotion of the green economy in the Kyrgyz Republic; identification of benefits and opportunities of the green economy for the development of the regions of the Kyrgyz Republic; identification of further steps to promote and support "green" initiatives in the regions. International experts also summed up their findings. The next generation of infrastructure should be adapted to the realities of the 21st century and use the best available strategies. This is why it is important that decision-makers systematically consider the role of natural systems and, where appropriate, integrate green infrastructure. The forum provided recommendations, approaches, and examples of how to integrate green infrastructure into planning and investment in ways that meet infrastructure needs, reduce costs and benefit local communities.

Video Review of the Fifth Anniversary of Green Economy Forum in Kyrgyzstan