The meeting was organized in cooperation with members of the Green Alliance, UNISON Group and BIOM, with the support of the project “Political Action for Climate Security in Central Asia”, implemented by UNDP with the support of the British Embassy.
“Integration of climate change issues into the country’s national policy is proceeding at a low level. This is due to a lack of attention and political will on the part of the republic’s leadership. Historically, environmental protection and climate change issues have received only residual attention. Climate change brings major environmental and socio-economic risks. The NDC is being prepared under the Paris Agreement. Like all civil societies of the world, we demand ambitious initiatives, because the future of humanity on Earth depends on it. In this regard, support and understanding from government structures is very important, and we welcome the creation of the State Committee for Ecology and Climate, which will carry out comprehensive intersectoral work,” said Nurzat Abdyrasulova, Chair of the Green Alliance of Kyrgyzstan and President of UNISON Group.
Dinara Kutmanova, Chair of the State Committee for Ecology and Climate, thanked the civil sector for its active work and noted: “For the first time in our country, a separate structure has been created – the Department of Climate and Sustainable Development. All efforts on climate issues will be focused in our body, which will increase the effectiveness of our activities. We all understand that measures are needed to respond to climate change. I would like these discussions with the civil sector to be ongoing.”
During the meeting, a document on sectoral proposals for climate change adaptation, based on the results of regional consultations, was presented, including proposals to strengthen public involvement in the development of the main NDC framework document.
Members of the public association prepared a Position of the civil sector of the Kyrgyz Republic, a document reflecting their vision of the country’s actions in the face of future climate change threats and building an effective climate policy system, the country’s participation in international processes to attract climate investment, representation on the Board of the Green Climate and Adaptation Funds, and active promotion of the country’s interests in various negotiating groups with similar interests.
The statement notes the existing strong potential of the civil society of the Kyrgyz Republic, which has accumulated unique experience working at the local community level on climate change mitigation and adaptation issues, since at the local level psychological aspects of adopting new technologies matter no less than technological ones. At the same time, a huge gap has emerged between those who understand the complex and specialized terminology of climate discussions and non-specialists who also want to be involved in the negotiations. Civil society is ready to actively support public awareness of the impact of climate change and possible adaptation measures to prevent the consequences of climate change.
The full text of the Green Alliance of Kyrgyzstan’s statement is available at the link: https://infoik.net.kg/index.php/pozitsii