EU and Central Asia define future cooperation in the field of environment and water resources

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- Climate change mitigation and promotion of a green economy in Central Asia were at the center of attention at the 6th European Union – Central Asia High-Level Conference, which was held on 24-25 January 2019.

The conference reaffirmed the commitment of the EU to continue work in the region and contributed to formation of future EU programs to assist the countries of Central Asia in the field of environment, climate change and water resources.

The conference brought together ministers and high-ranking diplomats in charge of environmental, climate change and water policy policies in Central Asia, the European Union and EU member states, to continue the work that has been done since the previous High-Level Conference. Milan in 2015.

Ambassador Peter Burian, EU Special Representative for Central Asia, said: “I am pleased to see that cooperation between the EU and the countries of Central Asia is strengthening in all areas. The EU and partners in Central Asia need to build relations taking into account the new dynamics in regional cooperation and expand joint efforts for addressing common challenges for the region, such as sustainable and transboundary water management, adaptation to climate change and mitigation of nature protection activity and a transition to closed-loop economy. To this end, the EU is ready to share its experience and advanced technologies.”

The conference was organized within the framework of the EU-Central Asia Platform for Cooperation on Environment and Water, which covers the following priority areas: environmental management, closed-loop economy, sustainable production and consumption, climate change and water management. Chaired by the EU, Italy as the lead country under the Platform, and Uzbekistan as the host country, the participants exchanged views and identified priorities for future cooperation between the EU and Central Asia on a wide range of issues related to the environment, climate change and water resources.

The State Committee of the Republic of Uzbekistan on Ecology and Environmental Protection emphasized formation of a completely new atmosphere of cooperation and the observed dynamic development of regional cooperation in Central Asia, a significant strengthening of cooperation in solving priority environmental problems of the region.

It was noted that there is need to develop and implement a concrete projects in the field of environmental protection within the EU-Central Asia cooperation platform, including supporting the Multi-Partner Trust Fund for Human Security for Aral Region, strengthening regional cooperation within the framework of IFAS, water conservation and rational use of limited transboundary water resources, attracting investment and external financial and technical assistance for the implementation of innovative solutions of low-carbon development, reduction of environmental pollution, etc.

The Italian Ministry of the Environment, Land and Sea Resources reaffirmed Italy’s commitment to strengthening full-fledged relations with Central Asia on key issues such as the environment, climate change and water resources, while emphasizing the importance of working together with the EU to achieve specific sustainable development goals and a prosperous future in this region, given its growing strategic role in the international arena.