Participants of a consultation seminar “Strengthening the Capacity of Kyrgyzstan to Manage the Climate Financing Process” discussed the beginning of the process of developing regional projects using funds from the Green Climate Fund in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, on 5 November 2024.
The seminar was organized by the Ministry of Natural Resources, Ecology and Technical Supervision of the Kyrgyz Republic and the GIZ regional office in Central Asia. It convened Mashiev Meder, Minister of Natural Resources, Ecology and Technical Supervision of KR, Torsten Brezina, Regional Coordinator of GIZ programs, representatives of the Ministry of Water Resources and Agriculture of the Kyrgyz Republic, the Forest Service under the Ministry of Emergency Situations of the Kyrgyz Republic, the UN Agency in Kyrgyzstan, non-governmental organizations, experts participated in the seminar. The Regional Environmental Centre for Central Asia (CAREC) was represented by the Director of the branch in the Kyrgyz Republic Kuban Matraimov.
Brief info: Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan have approached GIZ to pursue a regional initiative to develop a regional project for the GCF, underlining their commitment to joint action. In response to requests from partner countries, GIZ has developed a preliminary project concept for a GCF regional initiative in the AFOLU sector covering Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. This regional approach has received the support of the NDAs of all three countries, reflecting a concerted effort to jointly address climate change.
At the seminar, the Unique land use of experts presented the first version of the Concept of the regional project, consisting of three components:
– Strengthening climate resilience and low-emission development pathways for vulnerable rural populations.
– Developing climate-smart national planning processes, regulatory frameworks and incentive systems.
– Strengthening regional cooperation to build resilience to climate change.
The regional project will contribute to the achievement of the land degradation neutrality targets and Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) of the three countries that prioritize AFOLU for adaptation and mitigation actions, as well as the following regional programs:
- Regional Strategy for Adaptation to Climate Change in Central Asia ( 2024-2028 )
- Regional Environmental Program for Sustainable Development of Central Asia ( 2020-2030 )
The aim and objectives of the workshop were to exchange key information and obtain feedback on the proposed project objectives, target areas, priority sectors and components, and to engage with key stakeholders including government ministries, research institutions, international organizations, private sector representatives and civil society organizations.
Following the seminar, the climatic conditions of the Fergana Valley (Kyrgyz part) were proposed by the Hydrometeorological Service as a potential pilot area for the project and the features of some administrative districts that will be proposed as pilot areas for the project activities.
The role of CAREC is assumed to be that of a regional organization that will be able to consolidate all three countries in the implementation of the tasks of the future project.
Additional information:
Kuban Matraimov, Director of the CAREC branch in the Kyrgyz Republic, kmatraimov@carececo.org
