Countries to support Astana Green Bridge initiative
TANA. September 30. KAZINFORM On September 23 the 7th Ministerial Conference "Environment for Europe" came to its end. Three days of intense discussions with around 56 countries of UNECE region on the issues of environment protection are over and it's time to see what was happening during those days.
The agenda of the Conference included two main issues: effective water management and related ecosystems as well as the so-called "greening" of the economy. Special attention was given to the Astana "Green Bridge" initiative which presents a bounding link and effective mechanism for resolving environmental issues, the press service of the UNDP in Kazakhstan said.
The official delegation of the United Nations Development Programme was headed by Jens Wandel, Deputy Regional Director & Deputy Regional Bureau Director for Europe and the Commonwealth of Independent States. As he mentioned, Conference presents a platform for drawing on the challenges that we have and finding out joint solutions to those challenges, as well as support Kazakhstan's Green Bridge initiative.
During the Conference, UNDP hosted more than 10 side-events on the topics such as: climate risk management, low-carbon development, green buildings, trans-boundary water management and others.
Side events were attended by the partners from key ministries and agencies, NGO sector, rural communities, business structures and international experts.
Side event themed "How to cope with climate-related risks: best practices and approaches" was held in the format of the talk show. The main issue was whether it is possible and how effective are the local, low budget measures on adaptation to climate change without large-scale country initiatives?
Those attending presented real examples of effective measures on adaptation, while skeptics were particularly questioning the future perspectives and sustainability of such projects. The consensus was reached at the point when it was said that these measures are not aimed to resolve the issue at once, but show particular ways of how to cope with climate related risks for further response.
Side event on "Astana Initiative: Kazakhstan and Low-Carbon Development" was opened by Ruslan Bultrikov, Vice Minister of the Environmental Protection and Stephen Till, UN Resident Coordinator/UNDP Resident Representative in Kazakhstan.
"Green Buildings in Central Asia and Southern Caucasus" regional side event presented the best practices and expertise in successful implementation of the innovative technologies in the sphere of green construction and energy efficiency in the region. Leading environmental experts from Armenia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russian, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan, UNDP/GEF projects' partners from state and private sectors, and non-governmental organizations discussed the issues on development and adoption of green building codes, energy passport and certification schemes, organizational and financial models for attracting investment in building energy efficiency.
Along with side events, delegation of the UNDP took part in key plenary sessions and round tables.
At the final press-conference Jens Wandel noted: "Green Bridge is an initiative that is ready to work internationally. UNDP will try to make it operational, we will be glad to find practical approaches to make this initiative growing. One thing is sure - we must act, we must start using fewer resources and let people grow. UNDP is interested in this work and will support the Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan in the further developing of the initiative".
As a result of the conference, 20 countries and 4 organizations are committed to 75 specific actions for improving their water management systems. Besides, all countries voiced their support and complied to develop the Astana "Green Bridge" initiative.