OSCE Office in Tajikistan supports roundtable discussion on energy efficiency

DUSHANBE, 20 August 2009 - A roundtable discussion on energy conservation supported by the OSCE Office in Tajikistan and organized on the initiative of the Tajik Government was held in Dushanbe today, with more than 70 government officials and representatives of civil society, international organizations and the media taking part.

"We hope the event will help to mobilize ministries and other government agencies, international organizations, the private sector and civil society to work harder on promoting energy efficiency, and that the results of the discussion will be brought to the attention of the relevant decision makers," said Ambassador Vladimir Pryakhin, the Head of OSCE Office in Tajikistan. "I am also pleased to announce that the OSCE Office in Tajikistan is developing its own environmental policy, which among other goals aims to promote more efficient energy use."

Mavjuda Keldiyorova, the Head of the State Energy Control Agency, added: "Tajikistan is moving ahead in terms of energy development, and recognizes that hydropower is important for poverty reduction, and that energy conservation and energy efficiency are important for sustainable economic development. Energy conservation has been included in the state policy of the Republic of Tajikistan as a priority issue, and we are thankful to the OSCE Office for its support in organizing today's roundtable discussion."

Tajikistan committed to promote energy saving measures with a 2002 law and a presidential decree, "On Additional Actions for Energy Efficiency and Energy Conservation", issued on 24 April. The roundtable event was aimed at supporting the Tajik Government in implementing these policy documents.