Green Central Asia Environmental Initiative Launched in Berlin

Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan Mukhtar Tileuberdi participated in a high-level conference on the launch of Green Central Asia, a regional project on climate and security, initiated by Germany as part of the new EU Strategy for Central Asia and Afghanistan. 

The event was also attended by EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell, Vice President and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan Raşit Meredow, Foreign Minister of Kyrgyzstan Chingiz Aidarbekov, Foreign Minister of Tajikistan Sirojiddin Muhriddin, Foreign Minister of Uzbekistan Abdulaziz Kamilov, Deputy Foreign Minister of Afghanistan Mirwais Nab, as well as representatives of international organizations and research institutes.

When opening the conference, German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas pointed out that the new project of the German government is a continuation of the long-standing Central Asian Water Initiative (also known as the Berlin Process) to assist in water management through enhanced transboundary cooperation. Thus, Green Central Asia aims to support high-level dialogue on climate change in the context of security and stability of the six countries involved.

In his statement, Minister Mukhtar Tileuberdi thanked the German side for their initiative, noting its importance and relevance for the Central Asian region. The Foreign Minister informed about state policy in development of green economy and about the work of the International Center for Green Technologies and Investment Projects in Nur-Sultan. 

“We are interested in German experience in this area, since the Government of Kazakhstan is pursuing a similar task in developing Green Economy. Declared initiatives of our country demonstrate at the international level Kazakhstan’s commitment to greening the economy, rational use of natural resources and minimizing the impact on the environment,” the Foreign Minister said.

At the same time, representatives of the Central Asian countries noted the importance of cooperation of the region with Germany and the EU in environmental matters, environmental protection, introduction of green economy and fighting climate change.

Following the conference, the heads of official delegations signed a Joint Declaration, which will be a good basis for launching specific relevant projects.