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Kazakhstan proposes to enhance cooperation in “green economy” sphere

Business Materials 4 May 2014 13:48 (UTC +04:00)
Kazakhstan proposes to strengthen the cooperation in the spheres of “green economy”, energy saving and alternative energy under the SPECA program (the United Nations Special Program for the Economies of Central Asia).
Kazakhstan proposes to enhance cooperation in “green economy” sphere

Astana, Kazakhstan, May 4
By Daniyar Mukhtarov - Trend:

Kazakhstan proposes to strengthen the cooperation in the spheres of "green economy", energy saving and alternative energy under the SPECA program (the United Nations Special Program for the Economies of Central Asia), the country's Minister of Economy and Budget Planning, Erbolat Dossayev said.

The minister made the remarks during his meeting with the Executive Secretary of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), Shamshad Akhtar.

During the meeting, Dossayev pointed out that throughout twenty years Kazakhstan have been committed to the goals and tasks of the UN, including ESCAP, which is the most dignified inter-governmental forum of all the regional commissions.

"Kazakhstan cooperates with the UN commission in various spheres. The country participates in the ESCAP programs on the following issues: environmental protection, natural resource management, investment cooperation and trade development.

Kazakhstan's ministries are in close contacts with ESCAP and regularly participate in its annual sessions," Dossayev stressed.

The minister also pointed out that the SPECA program of the UN is one of the important aspects of cooperation between Kazakhstan and ESCAP.

"Solving of the current problems through the working groups of SPECA will increase the existing potential of our countries. Therefore, the SPECA program plays an important role in expanding the economic cooperation between the Central Asian countries," Dossayev added.

The SPECA program is important for the Central Asian countries in solving the crucial global economic problems and it can contribute to cooperation between these countries, according to Kazakh minister.

The minister believes that this program can also play an important role in creating incentives for the economic development and promotion of the integration of Central Asian countries into the European and Asian economy.

Dossayev expressed interest in strengthening cooperation in such promising areas as "green economy", energy saving and alternative energy.

The minister underscored that Kazakhstan has focused on a significant reduction in carbon emissions and efficient use of the country's precious natural resources.

To this end, the government of Kazakhstan has adopted a long-term concept of transition to a "green economy."

Shamshad Akhtar, for her part, assured that ESCAP also welcomes the expansion of cooperation with Kazakhstan and supports this country's intention to switch to the principles of "green economy."

The SPECA program, worked out by the UN in 1997, was put forward at the initiative of Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev. Initially, this program was intended only for Central Asian countries. Currently, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan and Afghanistan participate in its implementation.

SPECA's goal is to assist the abovementioned countries in intensification of mutual cooperation, stimulation of their economic development and their integration into the economy of European and Asian countries.

From the UN side, the SPECA program gets organizational support and expertise from the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) and the Economic Commission for Europe (ECE).

Translated by L.Z.

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