Tashkent, Uzbekistan, 14-16 December 2010 – The 22nd meeting of the Interstate Commission on Sustainable Development (ICSD) was held under the chairmanship of the Republic of Uzbekistan. The event brought together over 30 participants, including representatives of ministries and environmental agencies from Central Asian countries, ICSD members, national Focal Points responsible for implementing the Regional Environmental Action Plan (REAP), heads of the ICSD Scientific-Information Centre and its national branches, as well as representatives of the ICSD Public Council and the Central Asian Youth Environmental Network. International partners also participated, including the UNEP Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific, the UNEP Regional Resource Centre for Asia and the Pacific, the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), the Regional Environmental Centre for Central Asia (CAREC) and others.
Purpose of the Meeting
During the meeting held on 14-15 December the ICSD Chair presented a report on the activities carried out during Uzbekistan’s chairmanship. Special attention was given to achievements in strengthening the institutional and legal foundations of regional cooperation, expanding scientific and information-based activities, increasing civil society engagement in the environmental agenda, supporting project development and monitoring, and enhancing ICSD’s role in international environmental processes.
Participants reviewed the outcomes of the Sixth Ministerial Conference on Environment and Development in Asia and the Pacific, where the concept of “green growth” was central. Particular emphasis was placed on the Astana “Green Bridge” Initiative, including the Ministerial Declaration, the Regional Implementation Plan up to 2015, and related objectives. In addition, preparations were discussed for the Seventh “Environment for Europe” Ministerial Conference, to be held in 2011 in Astana. It was noted that a national working group had been established in Kazakhstan and that a series of associated events — exhibitions, campaigns, and parallel sessions — were planned.
A key item on the agenda was the preparation of the region for the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development (Rio+20), scheduled for 2012. UNEP presented a proposal to develop a regional environmental and sustainable development review at national, subregional and regional levels. It was stressed that Rio+20 represents a key opportunity to assess progress in implementing international commitments and to update the environmental agenda in line with the Millennium Development Goals. The importance of aligning national legislation with international frameworks, integrating environmental policies into national development strategies, and addressing “green economy” issues was highlighted.
The meeting also addressed the current status of domestic procedures related to the Framework Convention on Environmental Protection for Sustainable Development in Central Asia. Delegations noted that uncertainty regarding future financial commitments under the Convention remained a barrier to ratification. In this regard, the UNEP Regional Office expressed its readiness to assist in defining indicative financial obligations. Participants reaffirmed their interest in completing the ratification process and incorporating the Convention’s provisions into national legislation and strategic frameworks.
Another key topic was the development of the third Programme of Action to Assist the Countries of the Aral Sea Basin (ASBP-3) for 2011-2015. Representatives of the Executive Committee of IFAS reported that over 370 project proposals were submitted during the preparation phase, of which 335 met the criteria of the ASBP Framework Document. These proposals formed the basis for developing regional clusters under the programme’s four main directions. The ICSD’s active involvement in the development of ASBP-3 was especially emphasized.
Conclusions and Decisions
The meeting held on December 16 resulted in a number of key decisions supporting the implementation of the REAP Implementation Concept. Participants endorsed the report of the ICSD Chair and supported the request to the Provisional Secretariat of the Framework Convention to assist in assessing countries’ financial commitments. It was also decided to submit the draft Subregional Strategy on Sustainable Development to the IFAS Executive Committee for coordination support. Participants welcomed the initiative to expedite the establishment of a UNEP Regional Office in Central Asia.
The ICSD approved its own work plan as well as the Work Plan of the ICSD Scientific-Information Centre for 2011–2012. Participants confirmed the need to review REAP in light of climate change and emerging global environmental challenges and acknowledged the valuable contributions of the ICSD Public Council and the Central Asian Youth Environmental Network, endorsing their 2011–2012 action plans.
The meeting reaffirmed the strategic importance of strengthening regional cooperation on sustainable development in Central Asia, integrating environmental initiatives into national development strategies, and promoting active regional engagement in the global environmental agenda.
Agenda of the Meeting of Designated Officials (14-15 December 2010)
Agenda of ICSD Meeting (16 December 2010)
ICSD Decisions