MINISTER MEETS WITH ADB DIRECTOR GENERAL FOR CENTRAL AND WESTERN ASIA IN BAKU

Today, November 12, within the framework of the 29th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, a meeting was held between the Minister of Emergency Situations of the Kyrgyz Republic, Major General Boobek Azhikeev, and the Director General of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) for Central and West Asia, Evgeny Zhukov.

During the meeting, the parties held a constructive dialogue on issues of developing further cooperation in the field of emergency prevention and response.

The meeting discussed key aspects related to improving disaster preparedness, sharing experiences and resources, as well as opportunities for joint projects aimed at reducing disaster risks and increasing resilience to climate change.

The parties also noted successful cooperation within the framework of the projects “Increasing the resilience of water resources to climate change and natural disasters” and “Reducing the risks of landslides in the Kyrgyz Republic”.

Major General Boobek Azhikeev thanked ADB for its support and emphasized that these projects have significantly strengthened the country’s emergency forecasting and response system.

An important topic was the protection of Kyrgyzstan's unique forest ecosystems, in particular, the relict forests of Arslanbob, which are the most important biological resource of Central Asia. Major General Azhikeev raised the issue of protecting these forests from deforestation and proposed developing a new project for their conservation, taking into account climate change.

In turn, ADB Director General for Central and West Asia Evgeny Zhukov confirmed his readiness to provide advisory assistance and consider the possibility of financing joint programs and projects aimed at protecting forest ecosystems.

Another important issue was the need to protect agricultural, engineering and housing and communal facilities from erosion by the Chu and Kara-Darya rivers.

Also, the ADB expressed its readiness to support the initiative to finance coastal protection works in the Chui and Osh regions.

In connection with the completion of the first phase of the project “Improving the Sustainability of Water Resources”, the parties discussed the possibility of implementing the second phase, aimed at further improving the early warning system and risk management related to water resources and natural disasters.

Minister Boobek Azhikeev stressed the importance of integrating international support for effective disaster risk management and population protection.

Following the meeting, the parties agreed to further strengthen cooperation in the field of disaster risk management and adaptation to climate change, including the development of joint strategies aimed at increasing resilience to natural disasters and minimizing the impacts of climate change.

PRESS CENTER OF THE MINISTRY OF EMERCOM OF THE KR