Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, 6-8 June 2017 - A meeting of the Interstate Commission on Sustainable Development of the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea (ICSD IFAS) was held, organized by the State Committee for Environmental Protection and Land Resources of Turkmenistan. The event was convened within the framework of Turkmenistan's chairmanship of IFAS for the period 2017-2019 and brought together delegations from the countries of Central Asia, as well as representatives of leading international organizations, including the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), the Regional Environmental Centre for Central Asia (CAREC), the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), and others.
Photocredit to SIC ICSD
Objectives of the Meeting
The official opening of the meeting was held by the State Committee of Turkmenistan for Environmental Protection and Land Resources. During the meeting, participants engaged in substantive discussions on critical issues pertaining to the sustainable development and environmental security of the region. Deliberations focused on the strategic work plans of the ICSD, its associated structures, and partner organizations for the period 2017–2018. Key agenda items included the endorsement of work plans for the Scientific and Information Center of the Interstate Commission on Sustainable Development (SIC ICSD), the Regional Center for Renewable Energy Sources of Central Asia, the Regional Mountain Center of Central Asia, and the Public Council under the ICSD. Participants deliberated on the revision and enhancement of the Regional Action Plan for Environmental Protection in Central Asia (REAP CA) and explored the establishment of a Consultative Council under ICSD.
Special emphasis was placed on strengthening international cooperation. Representatives of the UNECE introduced mechanisms and instruments to promote the “green economy” for Central Asian countries, while UNEP shared its expertise and best practices in addressing environmental challenges and advancing sustainable development. Experts from GIZ presented findings from a study assessing the role of ICSD in fostering regional cooperation, offering actionable recommendations to strengthen its activities. Additionally, participants reviewed progress on the MoU between the SIC ICSD Scientific and CAREC.
Conclusions and Decisions
As a result of the meeting, a decision was adopted to develop a new Regional Environmental Programme for Sustainable Development in Central Asia. The ICSD bodies were tasked with preparing reports on the work carried out during Turkmenistan’s chairmanship and submitting proposals for amendments to the Statute of the SIC ICSD. Draft documents entitled “Regulations on the ICSD Consultative Council” and “Rules of Procedure for ICSD Meetings” were circulated to the countries of Central Asia for coordination. In addition, the Regional Mountain Centre of Central Asia, in cooperation with UNEP and GIZ, will continue its work on the project “Regional Guidelines on Ecosystem-based Adaptation to Climate Change in Mountain Areas of Central Asia,” with the engagement of all countries of the region.
The Meeting concluded with a discussion of draft decisions and the adoption of the agenda for the next session of the ICSD, which will be held in the context of further implementation of the region’s environmental strategy.