OSCE supports Kyrgyzstan’s preparations for global “Rio + 20” conference

BISHKEK, 26 April 2012 – A forum of non-governmental environmental organizations started today in Bishkek with the support of the OSCE Centre in Bishkek.

The two-day EcoForum, which brought together more than 60 representatives, will discuss key environmental challenges the country faces, and ways to contribute to the elaboration of a national position to be presented at the forthcoming "Rio +20" United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil from 20 to 22 June 2012.

Ambassador Andrew Tesoriere, the Head of the OSCE Centre in Bishkek, said: “Assisting the preparations for this global eco-forum is in line with the Centre’s work to support the development of a green economy in Kyrgyzstan, thereby promoting greater economic efficiency, better quality of life and greater environmental security.”

Oleg Pechenyuk, the Director of the non-govenmental organization “Public Ecological Expertise” which took part in the EcoForum, said: “Today’s Forum can help ensure public participation in the development of a national vision for a green economy in Kyrgyzstan.”

He added that the expected result would be the elaboration of a consolidated position of all environmental community actors in Kyrgyzstan.

Kyrgyzstan officially joined the “Rio +20” global process in 2010. In 2011, the country committed to establishing conditions for the support and development of the “green economy” principle in Kyrgyzstan. The EcoForum was supported as part of activities of the OSCE Centre in Bishkek aimed at building a nation-wide dialogue on the green economy concept in Kyrgyzstan through a process involving business sector, mass media and higher educational institutions.