OSCE Centre in Astana promotes green growth and sustainable development
ASTANA, 23 September 2011 – Promoting the principles of a green economy and sustainable development was the focus of a series of OSCE-supported events held during the Seventh Ministerial Conference on Environment for Europe which concluded in Astana today.
An updated and upgraded version of the Astana Initiative - a platform for co-operation between Asia and Europe for green growth and low-carbon use development processes - named the Green Bridge Partnership Programme (GBPP) was discussed at the Conference. The GBPP was developed by the Government of Kazakhstan with the support of the OSCE Centre in Astana for possible adoption at the Rio+20 World Sustainable Development Conference in June 2012.
The discussions helped to identify ideas and best practices for eco-efficient use of natural resources, investment in ecosystem services, low carbon development, adaptation to climate change, sustainable urban development and promotion of green businesses and green technologies.
“The implementation of green growth principles should ultimately correspond to the region’s needs and expectations, and should be adapted to the specific circumstances in each country,” said Ambassador Alexander Keltchewsky, the Head of the OSCE Centre in Astana. “The Green Bridge Partnership Programme from this perspective provides a wide range of opportunities and solutions for the greening of the economy, involving public participation in decision making and enhancing regional co-operation, which corresponds to fundamental OSCE values.”
The OSCE Centre in Astana also contributed and actively participated in side events promoting the Pollutant Release And Transfer Registers Protocol, the Payment for Ecosystem Services concept, Integrated Water Resources Management principles, and the Caspian Sea Environmental Governance project.
The Co-ordinator of OSCE Economic and Environmental Activities and current Chairman of the ENVSEC environmental security initiative, Goran Svilanovic, updated conference participants on ENVSEC activities and projects.