OSCE supports eighth annual Central Asia environmental leadership programme in Kazakhstan
The eighth annual OSCE-supported Central Asian Leadership Programme (CALP) on Environment for Sustainable Development concluded on 19 September 2017 in Almaty, Kazakhstan.
Some 35 young environmental leaders from the state, non-governmental, academic and business sectors of Central Asia and Afghanistan focused on “Water-Energy-Food Nexus” approaches to sustainable development and discussed aspects of promoting economic growth by ensuring sustainable development.
Participants were introduced to key concepts in the area of sustainable water management, protected areas administration, climate change adaptation measures, gender equality, implementation of regional environmental conventions as well as ways to promote networking among like-minded emerging leaders from the region and Afghanistan.
“Young people’s energy is an important asset for the successful implementation of the sustainable development policy,” said Ambassador György Szabó, Head of the OSCE Programme Office in Astana. “The leadership programme provides an essential springboard for young professionals looking to embed the principles of sustainable development into national policies, corporate development plans and social programmes.”
Dr. Iskandar Abdullayev, Executive Director CAREC said: "Leaders are outstanding individuals who are capable of leading remarkable people. Leaders need not only to transfer innovative ideas and solutions, experience and knowledge, but also promote a spirit of co-operation in Central Asia regarding environmental protection and sustainable development.”
The nine-day event, in its eighth consecutive year, is co-organized by the OSCE Programme Office in Astana in partnership with the Regional Environmental Centre for Central Asia, the government of Norway, the United Nations Environment Programme, the European Union and the US Agency for International Development.
The OSCE Programme Office contributed to the CALP by delivering lectures on the role and mandate of the OSCE in promoting the green economy principles with a focus to Integrated Water Resource Management (IWRM) principles and establishing national parks for promoting sustainable development in the regions.
The event is a follow-up to the Programme Office’s long-standing efforts to promote green growth and sustainable developing by strengthening the network of young environmental leaders in the Central Asian region and beyond.