Second Environmental Performance Review of Kyrgyzstan adopted in Geneva
Geneva, 3 February 2009 --
From 26 to 28 January 2009, high-level officials from the Parliament and the State Agency of Environmental Protection and Forestry (SAEPF) of Kyrgyzstan participated in the peer review and adoption of the second Environmental Performance Review (EPR) of their country. Following in-depth discussions by the Expert Group on Environmental Performance of recommendations made by a team of international experts, the Committee on Environmental Policy (CEP), the governing body of the EPR programme, adopted about 40 recommendations for implementation by Kyrgyzstan.
Mr. Oudeman, Rapporteur of the Expert Group, noted that “Compared to the first review, the framework for environmental legislation is pretty much in place, and the country should now move towards implementing it”. Mr. Chyngojoev, State Secretary of SAEPF, attending as head of the Kyrgyz delegation, detailed progress made in the ratification of environmental conventions, legislation, the adoption of strategies, programmes and plans in a number of environmental sectors (e.g. forestry, fauna, biodiversity and climate change). He placed particular emphasis on the Environmental Code just adopted in January 2009. Mr. Dzheenbekov, Deputy Chairman of the Kyrgyz Parliament, confirmed that these recommendations would serve as an important basis for discussion by members of Parliament working to strengthen environmental protection in the country.
A productive exchange of views and experiences followed the presentation of the EPR. Delegates of other member countries shared their experiences in implementing the EPR recommendations. A number stressed that strengthening SAEPF would be an important step, as a more equal footing with other line ministries would make the institution more efficient in terms of protecting the environment. Others emphasized that the roles and functions of the other ministries and State agencies involved in environmental protection should be reassessed accordingly.
Interventions raised a wide range of related issues, including: (a) the necessity to change the architecture of international donor aid to make it greener; (b) the need to elaborate national development strategies and streamline donor coordination to improve international assistance and optimize the use of foreign investment; (c) the importance of drafting feasible investment plans that would in turn facilitate implementation of certain recommendations in the EPR; and (d) the desire of neighbouring countries to strengthen regional cooperation within the UNECE and CEP frameworks in important areas such as water and payment for environmental protection.
On 12 February in Bishkek, a meeting of the National Security Council will be held to discuss environmental issues. Some EPR recommendations have already been incorporated into a draft resolution to be considered by the Council. Elements of the EPR and its recommendations are also reflected in the new Environmental Code and the draft law on General Technical Regulations “On Environmental Safety”.
Contents of the second EPR of Kyrgyzstan:
Introduction
Chapter 1: Policymaking framework for environment protection and sustainable development
Chapter 2: Compliance and enforcement
Chapter 3: Information, public participation and education
Chapter 4: Implementation of international agreements and commitments
Chapter 5: Economic instruments and expenditures for environmental protection
Chapter 6: Sustainable management and protection of water resources
Chapter 7: Land management and protection
Chapter 8: Biodiversity conservation and sustainable management of natural resources
Annexes
For further information, please consult the Environmental Performance Review programme website (http://www.unece.org/env/epr/welcome.htm), where all EPR publications are available.
For further information, please contact:
Ms. Catherine Masson
Team Leader
Environmental Performance Reviews
UNECE Environment, Housing and Land Management Division
Palais des Nations
CH-1211 Geneva 10, Switzerland
Tel.: + 41 (0)22 917 2356
Fax: + 41 (0)22 917 0107
E-mail: [email protected] |
Mr. Jean Rodriguez
Information Service
United Nations Economic Commission for Europe
Palais des Nations
CH-1211 Geneva 10, Switzerland
Tel.: +41 (0)22 917 4444
Fax: +41 (0)22 917 0505
E-mail: [email protected] |
Ref: ECE/ENV/09/P03