International Organizations launch programme to address environmental and security situation in Ferghana valley

VIENNA/ALMATY, 27 May 2005 - Addressing the environmental and security situation in the Ferghana valley and other problems facing this complex and dynamic part of Central Asia is the aim of a joint programme launched today in Almaty by four major international organizations.

United under the Environment and Security initiative (ENVSEC), the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, the United Nations Environment Programme, the United Nations Development Programme and the 'Security through Science' of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization will be involved in the programme, which is based on an in-depth assessment of the situation in the Ferghana valley.

Recent political developments in Kyrgyztan and now Uzbekistan have once again put the Ferghana valley in the centre of global attention.

Being the most fertile, densely populated region in the whole of Central Asia, the valley is of great importance for millions of people. At present the valley straddles three countries - Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan - which emerged as sovereign States after the collapse of the Soviet Union.

The role the environment plays in causing or resolving conflict is given increased attention in the world today. Environmental problems can easily acquire regional security dimensions.

Environmental degradation can aggravate social tensions or awaken otherwise dormant conflict-generating forces. At the same time, co-operation for better environmental governance in complex socio-political settings can help build confidence and improve relations between communities that share common resources.

The assessment has been produced at the request of the countries of the Ferghana valley and has widely benefited from their inputs. It shows how the ENVSEC initiative has helped identify both environmental threats to regional security and opportunities for cross-border dialogue. Our environment is borderless and calls for different ways of co-operating.

The joint programme is launched on the occasion of the second meeting of the parties to the Aarhus Convention.

For the ENVSEC assessment report and further information go to:

http://www.envsec.org/centasia/