OSCE supports Central Asian Leadership Programme for young environmentalists
ALMATY, Kazakhstan, 14 September 2015 – An OSCE-supported annual seminar under the Central Asian Leadership Programme on sustainable development began today in Almaty, Kazakhstan.
This is the sixth consecutive year that the event brings together young professionals and civil society activists from Central Asia and Afghanistan in order to enhance the integration of the environment and sustainable development issues in the decision-making process, as well as to promote networking among like-minded emerging leaders.
The OSCE Programme Office in Astana co-organized the two-week training seminar in close co-operation with the Regional Environmental Centre for Central Asia (CAREC) and the United Nations Environment Programme, with the support of the government of Norway.
Some 40 participants from national governments, the private sector and non-governmental organizations will learn how to address challenges related to climate change, to promote green growth principles and integrated water resources management as well as to enhance public participation in decision-making on environmental and economic issues, including in a transboundary context.
They will be engaged in a comprehensive assessment of the issues related to sustainable development in the context of global challenges and identify the needs and priorities of the countries in the region and beyond. Together with national and international experts the participants will focus on water governance and access to drinking water, energy efficiency and the rational use of natural resources, good governance and gender-mainstreaming.
Ambassador Natalia Zarudna, Head of the OSCE Programme Office in Astana, said: “The OSCE strongly supports the involvement of youth in discussing the security challenges we all face in order to find a more effective response. We attach great importance to building the younger generation’s capacity to quickly absorb the knowledge accumulated by previous generations and to come up with innovative and creative solutions."
Iskandar Abdullayev, Executive Director of CAREC, said: “This year, our programme is focusing on strengthening environmental security through regional co-operation, countering climate change and ensuring access to water and energy for all. We hope that the participants will apply the knowledge gained in their homelands, thus contributing to overall sustainable development.”
The event is part of the Office’s long-standing efforts to promote sustainable development and green growth principles and engage youth in addressing environmental security challenges in the region and beyond.