November 16, 2023 / Bishkek – The Ministry of Economy and Commerce of the Kyrgyz Republic together with the business association JIA and development partners UNDP, GIZ, OSCE, the Government of Switzerland and the European Union, is hosting a regional Green Economy Forum 2023: common goals for sustainable development of the Central Asian region.

The event became a platform for discussing common challenges and finding solutions for scaling green initiatives in the region with the participation of representatives from Central Asian countries. The Forum brought together experts in the field of sustainable business and management to participate in conferences, exhibitions, and high-level dialogues. 

This year, Forum discussed positive international practices of interaction between the public and private sectors and tools to stimulate the “greening” of the private sector to promote global integration, as well as the recognizing potential sectoral initiatives in Central Asia for their coordinated promotion at the global level.

Akylbek Kasymaliev, First Deputy Chair of the Ministers Cabinet said that Kyrgyzstan has committed to gradual decrease the greenhouse emissions by 2050. “SDGs are the basis of state policy of Kyrgyzstan and we will accelerate the implementation of SDGs where green economy is the core of our commitment. We are working on transformation of current economy to the green economy. Transport, industry, and electricity production are the main pollutants. Kyrgyzstan works to attract green investment, develop renewable energy sources and introduce clean transport”. 

During panel sessions, experts from Germany, Georgia, Mongolia, Turkey, Uzbekistan, France and Japan shared experiences and best practices in the field of green transport, green energy, sustainable finance and education for sustainable development with representatives of the public sector, development partners, civil society and the private sector to explore challenges and demonstrate solutions associated with the green economy. 

The important role of an inclusive green economy was highlighted as it improves human well-being and ensures social justice while reducing environmental risks and scarcity. At this Forum, stakeholders discussed how Kyrgyzstan and other Central Asian countries can benefit from the global transformation to green growth and implement a long-term sustainable green development strategy to move the country and region forward. 

UNDP Resident Representative in the Kyrgyz Republic Alexandra Solovieva emphasized: “Transforming the economy towards a greener and more sustainable direction requires investment. Since the public sector alone cannot meet all financial needs, governments must create the right incentives for private sector participation. UNDP is working with the government and the Union of Banks to launch green finance initiatives that will accelerate the implementation of green priorities.”

In addition, the Forum hosted the Green Expo 2023 exhibition, which provided an opportunity to demonstrate green approaches and technologies of various countries in the region in economic sectors that contribute to the development of sustainable business. 

“Kyrgyzstan has a quite active private sector, which is interested in using and promoting a new, green approaches and green technologies for becoming more competitive in this changing world. Our trilateral cooperation will further encourage introduction of green technologies, nature-based solutions and other benefits which are instrumental for Kyrgyzstan to consider for instance better resilience and reduce its vulnerability to climate change impacts via effective formation and implementation of national climate agenda with the main stakeholders, as well as further active engagement on the regional and international arenas” – said Viktor Wetzel, GIZ Country Director.

«Green energy is a better alternative to many of today's energy sources and creates not only a beneficial impact on the environment, but also helps to optimize the high cost of energy resources that have arisen in connection with economic and geopolitical events. This is business independence!» - emphasized Kubanychbek Alimov, Chairman of the JIA Green Economy Committee and General Director of the KAZECO company.

Alexander Eliseev, Acting Head of the OSCE Program Office in Bishkek highlighted the importance of the transition to a green economy in the context of the pursuit of a sustainable future: “The OSCE is diligently promoting the development of a green economy by supporting the improvement of the legislative framework, the implementation of key measures and plans in accordance with the Green Economy Development Program. We also provide ongoing support to the Kyrgyz Republic in the implementation strategic legal, economic and institutional reforms.”

More than 500 representatives of various organizations, companies and enterprises took part in the Green Economy Forum. 

For media inquiries please contact Aingul Abdrakhmanova, UNDP Communications officer, at aingul.abdrakhmanova@undp.org or by 0770183493.

***

UNDP partners with people at all levels of society to help build nations that can withstand crisis, and drive and sustain the kind of growth that improves the quality of life for everyone. On the ground in more than 170 countries and territories, we offer global perspective and local insight to help empower lives and build resilient nations. Under the Partnership for Action on Green Economy (PAGE), UNDP puts sustainability at the heart of economic policymaking. PAGE brings together the expertise of five UN agencies: UNEP, ILO, UNDP, UNIDO and UNITAR.

Together they support nations and regions in transforming economies into drivers of sustainability and social equity, by providing policy advice, assessments, capacity development and analytical tools outputs to 22 partner countries, including Kyrgyzstan. PAGE has been supporting the country in its commitment to advance inclusive sustainable growth, embedded into its long-term National Development Strategy 2040 since 2016. PAGE is also working with the government on sectoral reforms in green industry, sustainable agriculture and jobs and strengthening institutional capacities around inclusive green economy diagnostics, coordination, finance and public procurement.