«In the context of melting glaciers and reducing water and energy resources, Kyrgyzstan intends to gradually switch from carbon energy carriers to renewable energy sources while introducing resource-saving and environmentally friendly technologies,» Akylbek Japarov, chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of Kyrgyzstan, said at the 2nd Regional Summit on Sustainable Development Goals «Beyond COVID — Towards a Just Recovery in Central Asia» held in Almaty (Kazakhstan).
He noted that the republic has set itself the goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 44 percent by 2030 and achieving carbon neutrality by 2050. This is necessary for a «green» recovery after the coronavirus pandemic, a low-carbon transformation of the country, and ensuring environmental security.
Akylbek Japarov noted that construction of small and medium-sized hydroelectric power stations in the country would contribute to ensuring water and energy security of the entire Central Asian region.
He called on investors, international financial institutions, climate funds and corporations to mutually beneficial investment cooperation in the hydropower complex and other areas of renewable energy, including on the principles of public-private partnership.
Akylbek Japarov said that Kyrgyzstan was aware of the importance of the global problem of climate change, being one of the countries that are most vulnerable to climate change in the world. Therefore, the country has put forward a number of initiatives to promote international cooperation in the environmental field. In particular, the Chairman of the Cabinet noted the adoption of the resolution of the 75th session of the UN General Assembly «Nature knows no boundaries: transboundary cooperation — a key factor for biodiversity conservation, restoration and sustainable use.» This is one of the few resolutions on cooperation between the UN member states for the protection and conservation of transboundary ecosystems.
«To implement the chosen environmental course, by decree of the President of Kyrgyzstan, 2022 was declared in our country as the Year of Protection of Mountain Ecosystems and Climate Resilience, and a corresponding road map was approved. Within its framework, the national campaign «Green Heritage» was launched to increase the country’s climate resilience by increasing the area of forest plantations by 5-6 million trees per year. Kyrgyzstan also advocates the development of a special UN program for conservation of mountain forests and invites international partners and organizations to take part in our campaign to promote these initiatives,» said Akylbek Japarov.
He noted that at the initiative of the republic, the resolution of the 76th session of the UN General Assembly «International Year of Sustainable Mountain Development» and the resolution of the 41st session of the General Conference of UNESCO «Strengthening mountain glacier monitoring and research» were adopted. Kyrgyzstan is also going to submit a resolution on the announcement of Five Years of Action for the Development of Mountain Regions at the 77th session of the UN General Assembly.
