Bishkek, Kyrgyz Republic, 16 November 2007 – The regular meeting of the Interstate Commission on Sustainable Development (ICSD) of the Central Asian countries was held at the “Ak-Keme” Hotel in Bishkek with the financial support of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).
The meeting brought together around 45 participants, including ICSD members, the ICSD Secretariat, heads of the Scientific Information Center of the ICSD (SIC ICSD) and its branches, Responsible Officials (ROs) for the implementation of the Regional Environmental Action Plan (REAP) of the Central Asian environmental authorities, as well as representatives of the Public Council, the Central Asian Youth Environmental Network, and international and non-governmental organizations.
The main purpose of the meeting of ministers and ICSD members was to discuss a range of issues concerning regional environmental cooperation, with the aim of enhancing the effectiveness and coordination of ongoing initiatives.
Objectives of the ICSD Meeting
At the preceding meeting of REAP Responsible Designated Officials, held on 14-15 November, the report of the ICSD Chairperson, Mr. A. Davletkeldiev, on the activities undertaken during Kyrgyzstan’s chairmanship and the overall results of ICSD activities for 2007, was presented and endorsed. The report included consideration of the draft Subregional Strategy for Sustainable Development (SSSD) of Central Asia, developed by the SIC ICSD. By ICSD decision, the SIC ICSD was tasked with finalizing the draft SSSD and circulating it to stakeholders in the Central Asian countries for discussion and agreement by 30 March 2008, after which the revised draft would be submitted for consideration at the next ICSD session.
The ICSD Meeting in progress. Photocredit to SIC ICSD
The meeting reviewed the process of ratification of the Framework Convention on Environmental Protection for Sustainable Development in Central Asia and preparations for the first Conference of the Parties. ICSD members took note of information provided by the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Republic of Uzbekistan on the signing process of the Convention in their countries and emphasized the need to accelerate its agreement and signature with a view to completion in 2007. The ICSD Chairperson was instructed to approach the Interim Secretariat of the Convention (UNEP’s Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific – UNEP ROAP) with proposals to provide consultations on the possible extension of the signing deadline and to initiate preparations for the first Conference of the Parties.
The ICSD also reviewed progress on the establishment of the office and governance structure of the Regional Mountain Centre of Central Asia (RMCCA). The draft Statute of the RMCCA Governing Council was considered, and the ICSD decided to amend the RMC Charter concerning the composition of the Governing Council. The creation of the RMC-CA is aimed at fostering cooperation among Central Asian states in preserving mountain ecosystems, ensuring the sustainable use of natural resources, and improving the socio-economic conditions of mountain populations, including through scientific and information support and professional training. Following discussion, the ICSD approved the Statute of the RMCCA Governing Council and authorized the ICSD Chairperson to endorse it. The Committee of Responsible Officials was instructed to propose candidates for the post of Executive Director of the RMC-CA by 1 December 2007.
Conclusions and Decisions
During the ICSD Meeting held on November 16, the ICSD approved the outcomes of Central Asian participation in the Sixth Ministerial Conference “Environment for Europe” (Belgrade, 2007) and adopted the Ministerial Declaration, the Chair’s Conclusions, and the Central Asian Initiative (CAI) on Sustainable Development as a basis for further cooperation with donors and partners under the “Environment for Europe” process. ICSD members also decided to establish an Organizing Committee under the ICSD to prepare for the 2010 Ministerial Conference on Environment of the Asia-Pacific region and the 2011 “Environment for Europe” Ministerial Conference to be hosted in Kazakhstan.
Particular interest was expressed in the UNEP-proposed regional project, funded by the European Commission, “Enhancing Regional Cooperation Capacity in Central Asia,” aimed at strengthening cooperation under the ICSD framework. The ICSD Chairperson was requested to approach the European Union with a proposal for financial support. Furthermore, the ICSD decided, with the support of UNEP ROAP, to implement a regional project on climate change based on REAP priorities and assigned coordination of this activity to Mr. M. Akmuradov, Minister of Nature Protection of Turkmenistan.
Participants were also presented with initiatives of regional significance, including the Central Asian Initiative on Sustainable Development, endorsed at the Belgrade Ministerial Conference. Reports were delivered by Mr. S. Shresta, Director of UNEP ROAP, on ICSD participation in climate change events; by representatives of the Korea South-East Power Company (KOSEP) on combined use of renewable energy sources, and by the Kazakhstan-Japan Association for Business and Humanitarian Cooperation on new environmental technologies.
The meeting further addressed ICSD’s involvement in international initiatives and forums. Information was presented on the implementation of the Central Asia Programme of the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF). The ICSD reviewed and approved a Memorandum of Intent between the ICSD and WWF’s Central Asia Programme on the implementation of the “Econet” ecological network in the region. The ICSD also took note of Kazakhstan’s experience in developing its National Atlas for possible use in the preparation of national and regional atlases for Central Asia.
Special emphasis was placed on public participation. The ICSD recognized the Public Council as the main partner in ensuring civic engagement, awareness raising, and public involvement in the implementation of the Central Asian Initiative on Sustainable Development. ICSD members endorsed the priority areas of the Public Council’s work and approved the Central Asian Youth Initiative developed by the Central Asian Youth Environmental Network (CAYEN). A decision was taken to seek support from UNEP ROAP and other donors for the CAYEN work plan. The initiative of the ICSD Chairperson to establish a journalists’ network integrated into the ICSD Public Council was also supported.
Group photo of ICSD Meeting participants. Photocredit to SIC ICSD
In addition, the ICSD requested the Chairperson, together with UNEP, to explore the possibility of establishing the position of Legal Adviser to the ICSD Chair. The next ICSD meeting was scheduled to take place in the Kyrgyz Republic in June 2008. The session concluded with the formal procedure of adopting and signing ICSD decisions.
Agenda of the Meeting of Designated Officials (November 14-15, 2007)
Agenda of the ICSD Meeting (November 16, 2007)
List of Participants