OSCE Centre expands waste management in Kyrgyzstan

BISHKEK, 29 February 2008 - The OSCE Centre in Bishkek presented a new waste management project in the Kyrgyz city of Naryn today.

"The OSCE in partnership with the Urban Institute has brought together citizens, services providers and local government to work together to develop a long term service action improvement plan that the Mayor and his office will be able to implement in the future without reliance on donor support," said Kimberly Bulkley, Environmental and Economic Officer of the OSCE Centre in Bishkek.

The project aims to improve the waste management system in Naryn, one of the most remote and high-altitude towns of Kyrgyzstan, through co-operation with a working group established under the Mayor's office. The working group comprises service providers, concerned citizens, NGOs, and the local administration.

"We support the OSCE project on waste management in Naryn and hope that this project extends into next year on a bigger scale. This project is important for Naryn town and the region, and the Naryn Governor's administration will assist the project," said Erlan Saparbaev, Naryn Deputy Governor.

Like many towns in Kyrgyzstan, Naryn, with a population of some 43,800, struggles with waste-related problems, including overflowing refuse dumps and threats to groundwater. Proper waste management has posed a challenge for local authorities as revenues from garbage fees have been insufficient to properly fund the maintenance of equipment and to provide pick-up services.

The OSCE Centre's first waste management project began in the southern Kyrgyz town of Osh in July 2006 and a similar project was launched in Talas early this year. As improving waste management services is a long-term project, the OSCE Centre plans to continue its support in 2009, possibly by adding new components such as development of recycling services.