On October 23, 2024, the Regional Green Economy Forum "Green Development Path of Central Asia 2024" started in Bishkek, with the main goal of strengthening cooperation among Central Asian countries in key areas of the green economy, such as green energy, sustainable tourism, green construction, and waste management. The forum also aims to identify promising regional initiatives for their joint promotion and implementation.

The first panel session was moderetad by Uluk Kydyrbaev, Head of the Secretariat of the Investment Council and was dedicated to critical issues of green economic development and sustainable growth. In his opening remarks, Uluk Kydyrbaev emphasized: "The transition to a green economy is an opportunity for Central Asia to take a leading position in ecological development, maintaining a balance between economic growth and responsible resource use." He highlighted the importance of strengthening partnerships between the public and private sectors for implementing successful projects that contribute to economic growth and social stability.

During the panel session, participants discussed a wide range of topics related to the implementation of the green economy in Central Asia:

• The European Union's support for the green development initiative, particularly the allocation of over 1 billion euros for projects in Central Asia aimed at transforming energy infrastructure. These projects facilitate regional integration in the field of renewable energy.
• Dr. Renaud Vuigner from Switzerland presented how investments in renewable energy can strengthen the economic resilience of regions, using a project in the Issyk-Kul region as an example.
• The Eurasian Development Bank presented its strategy to support green financing and energy efficiency. Mr. Konrad Albrecht emphasized the importance of synchronizing sustainable development goals with regional initiatives, highlighting projects funded by the bank.
• Political approaches to balancing economic growth and resource sustainability, presented by Mr. Takayoshi Kato of OECD, are especially relevant to Central Asia, where water, energy, and land resources are closely interconnected.
• Challenges faced by the private sector in transitioning to green practices were highlighted by Mr. Zhanabil Davletbayev of the International Business Council, who pointed out that high costs for adopting green technologies are the main obstacle for small and medium enterprises.

The panel discussion demonstrated the importance of learning from international experience and stressed the need for deeper interaction between public and private partners. Participants noted the risks associated with project implementation and the importance of innovation and advanced technology to mitigate these risks. They also spoke about the importance of incentivizing the private sector through legislative measures and support programs, which would help to implement the green agenda more effectively.

The session's conclusion emphasized that international dialogue and experience exchange play a vital role in achieving success in the implementation of green economy projects. The Secretariat of the Investment Council continues to actively promote public-private partnerships and the green economy in the country, supporting efforts aimed at sustainable development and attracting new investments in key projects.

The Secretariat on Birinchi Radio's "Main Issue" Program
The discussion focused on regional development, including Batken. The guests talked about the recent "Development of Batken – Development of the Country 2" investment forum, as well as the off-site meeting of the Investment Council under the Cabinet of Ministers of the Kyrgyz Republic held during the forum.
The guests were Nurgazy Osmonkanov, Public Relations Specialist at the Secretariat of the Investment Council under the Cabinet of Ministers of the Kyrgyz Republic, and Adilet Orozkulov, Regional Development Specialist at the Ministry of Economy and Commerce of the Kyrgyz Republic. The program was hosted by Meerim Abdramanova.

We express our gratitude to the Birinchi Radio team for inviting us to the air.
The full version of the show (in Kyrgyz) is available via the link