Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09ASTANA2139
2009-12-10 03:38:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Astana
Cable title:
KAZAKHSTAN: ASTANA TO HOST SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 ASTANA 002139
SIPDIS
STATE FOR SCA/CEN, OES/PCI, IO, EUR/RPM
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL ECON SENV OSCE UN KZ
SUBJECT: KAZAKHSTAN: ASTANA TO HOST SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
MINISTERIAL IN 2010
ASTANA 00002139 001.3 OF 003
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 ASTANA 002139
SIPDIS
STATE FOR SCA/CEN, OES/PCI, IO, EUR/RPM
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL ECON SENV OSCE UN KZ
SUBJECT: KAZAKHSTAN: ASTANA TO HOST SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
MINISTERIAL IN 2010
ASTANA 00002139 001.3 OF 003
1. SUMMARY: The Kazakhstani Ministry of Environment hosted the
Advisory Council Meeting on Preparation for the Ministerial
Conference on Environment and Development (MCED) to be held in
Astana in 2010. The MCED is held every five years, and the next
Ministerial theme will be to adopt "green growth" as the region's
key strategy. This MCED will be the first one held in Central Asia.
The key issues will be bridging Asia and Europe, trans-boundary
water issues, climate change adaptation, resilient development, and
a green environment as central to economic development. One idea
will be to regard Kazakhstan's status in Central Asia as a "bridge"
between Central Asia and Europe. The Italian Ambassador
(representing the European Union) said water management is a vital
challenge, and Europe will attempt to improve water resource
management and encourage regional cooperation. The business sector
said "business as usual" is no longer possible. The government must
provide adequate incentives to the business community to increase
its "greenness." Such a policy could reduce poverty by providing
green jobs, reduce overall environmental degradation, help
businesses adapt to the effects of climate change, and ensure
sufficient resources for long-term economic growth. END SUMMARY.
ASTANA TO HOST SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT MINISTERIAL IN 2010
2. The Kazakhstani Ministry of Environment, along with the
Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE),the
United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the
Pacific (ESCAP),and the Central Asian Regional Environmental Center
(CAREC) hosted on November 24 the Advisory Council Meeting on
Preparation for the Ministerial Conference on Environment and
Development (MCED) to be held in Astana in 2010. The Minister of
Environment's Executive Secretary, Anatoliy Dernovoy, introduced the
conference, saying that the 2010 OSCE Chairmanship is especially
important for Kazakhstan and for the environmental portion of
Kazakhstan's responsibilities as the Chair. Kazakhstan hopes to use
its geopolitical position in Central Asia to further the resolution
of several problems, including transportation, tourism, and the
environment.
3. Held every five years, beginning in 1985, the MCED allows all 62
member countries to review the status of their environmental
development and consider joint cooperation in priority areas. In
1985, the MCED focused on human development; in 1990, the
ministerial prepared input for the 1992 Rio Earth Summit; 1995
focused on a sustainable development model for Asia and the Pacific;
and the theme for 2000 was "moving from capacity to concrete
actions." This next Ministerial theme will be to adopt "green
growth" as the region's key strategy, ensuring environmental
sustainability while maintaining economic growth.
4. According to United Nations Economic and Social Commission for
Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) Masakasu Ichimura, the big difference
between Asia and Europe is poverty. Therefore, Asian countries must
find the proper balance between the environment and economic
development. Asia faces the challenges of poverty, access to
resources, and financial help. Astana's MCED will focus on the
environment and development, and the fundamental needs for
furthering green growth along the direction set in the previous
MCED.
5. As the first Ministerial Conference to be held in Central Asia,
it is a tribute to Kazakhstan's leading role in the region. The key
issues for the Ministerial will be to bridge Asia and Europe and
address trans-boundary water issues, climate change adaptation,
resilient development, and the centrality of a green environment to
economic development. The Ministerial format will consist of two to
three days of meetings for senior officials, one or two days for
ministers, and side events. The tentative dates are September
27-October 3, 2010, in Astana.
6. According to Ichimura, the final Ministerial statement will
include a 2010 regional report on sustainable development, a review
of the implementation of sustainable development plans and programs
ASTANA 00002139 002.3 OF 003
in the Asia Pacific region, a thematic paper (to be determined),a
ministerial declaration, an action plan for subsequent years, and a
set of key initiatives in all priority areas.
KAZAKHSTAN IS THE "BRIDGE" BETWEEN EUROPE AND CENTRAL ASIA
7. Central Asian Regional Environmental Center (CAREC) Director
Talaybek Makaev said the major priorities for the upcoming MCED
include a coordinated management plan for water resources in Central
Asia, adaptation to climate change, and sustainable energy
development. He added that one important theme is to regard
Kazakhstan in Central Asia as the "bridge" between Central Asia and
Europe. Civil society, businesses, governments, diplomatic
missions, international and regional organizations, the scientific
community, and the press will participate in MCED. CAREC aims to
clarify the notion of a "green economy" and disseminate that idea to
the general population.
8. According to Makaev, CAREC will form an expert group to prepare
for Astana 2010, coordinate the preparation of ministerial
documents, set up a website as an "information platform," have press
conferences, place ads in the media, and hold forums to exchange
ideas. It will also carry out regional projects, such as the
insulation of older buildings or reduction of pollution to
demonstrate the idea of a green economy.
9. Italian Ambassador Bruno Pasquino, representing the European
Union, said that coordinated development between regions is the key
to good governance. The Asia-Pacific region and Europe need to join
forces to combat climate change, in part because Central Asia is
particularly vulnerable to its consequences. Europe can assist in
policy-making, implementation, development of clean energy and
emission-control technology, energy efficiency, and renewable
energy. Water management is a vital challenge, he asserted, and
Europe will attempt to improve water-management and encourage
regional cooperation. He mentioned that Europe will establish a
European-Central Asian working group on climate change and
environmental governance.
10. OSCE Economy and Environment Director Terry Holland also
stressed the importance of environmental security, noting the
trans-boundary character and global impact of environmental
problems. Resolution of water-resource management in Central Asia
is vital to ensure regional stability. He added that Kazakhstan
today serves as a bridge between Europe and Central Asia, because
Kazakhstan will assume the 2010 OSCE chairmanship. This position
will give Kazakhstan a great opportunity to achieve many important
goals.
BUSINESS SECTOR SUPPORTS THE IDEA OF "GREEN BUSINESS"
11. ESCAP Department of Environmental Policy and Development Aneta
Nikolova said "business as usual" is simply no longer possible.
Economic development faces limitations, including climate change,
environmental pollution, and a shortage of resources. Several good
ideas and initiatives on sustainable development exist, she
asserted, but methods to support them with targeted policies remain
unclear. Because the current ecological footprint of modern
economies exceeds the earth's bio-capacity, she stated that
"business as usual" is just a bad idea.
12. According to Nikolova, a green economy is the wave of the
future. The government and public sector must support the goals of
renewable energy by providing adequate incentives to the business
community. Green business can include not only sustainable
development, but also eco-tourism and the "greening" of the private
sector (e.g., more energy efficient buildings, less energy
consumption, less pollution, etc.). The overall objective is to
attain "eco-efficiency" along with profitability. The government
should support "green business," because they will reduce poverty by
providing green jobs, decrease overall environmental degradation,
help businesses adapt to the effects of climate change, and ensure
ASTANA 00002139 003.3 OF 003
sufficient resources for long-term economic growth. She said
government subsidies to make buildings more green (e.g., better
insulated, less energy intense, etc.),eco-labeling of products, and
micro loans to small- and medium-sized enterprises can also help
promote green business. She proposed a Green Business Exhibition as
a side event at the Astana 2010 MCED.
13. COMMENT: Astana's hosting of the next MCED in 2010 is
important, not only because it is the first time for Central Asia,
but also because it highlights UN, OSCE, and European thoughts on
Kazakhstan's rising status and leading role in Central Asia. Set to
coincide with Kazakhstan's 2010 Chairmanship of the OSCE, it
burnishes Kazakhstan's image as a country that actively promotes
sustainable development. Although Kazakhstan's political will in
this area is clear, its Soviet legacy often hampers its efforts. A
member of the MCED, the United States will most likely send a
delegation to Astana. END COMMENT.
HOAGLAND
SIPDIS
STATE FOR SCA/CEN, OES/PCI, IO, EUR/RPM
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL ECON SENV OSCE UN KZ
SUBJECT: KAZAKHSTAN: ASTANA TO HOST SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
MINISTERIAL IN 2010
ASTANA 00002139 001.3 OF 003
1. SUMMARY: The Kazakhstani Ministry of Environment hosted the
Advisory Council Meeting on Preparation for the Ministerial
Conference on Environment and Development (MCED) to be held in
Astana in 2010. The MCED is held every five years, and the next
Ministerial theme will be to adopt "green growth" as the region's
key strategy. This MCED will be the first one held in Central Asia.
The key issues will be bridging Asia and Europe, trans-boundary
water issues, climate change adaptation, resilient development, and
a green environment as central to economic development. One idea
will be to regard Kazakhstan's status in Central Asia as a "bridge"
between Central Asia and Europe. The Italian Ambassador
(representing the European Union) said water management is a vital
challenge, and Europe will attempt to improve water resource
management and encourage regional cooperation. The business sector
said "business as usual" is no longer possible. The government must
provide adequate incentives to the business community to increase
its "greenness." Such a policy could reduce poverty by providing
green jobs, reduce overall environmental degradation, help
businesses adapt to the effects of climate change, and ensure
sufficient resources for long-term economic growth. END SUMMARY.
ASTANA TO HOST SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT MINISTERIAL IN 2010
2. The Kazakhstani Ministry of Environment, along with the
Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE),the
United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the
Pacific (ESCAP),and the Central Asian Regional Environmental Center
(CAREC) hosted on November 24 the Advisory Council Meeting on
Preparation for the Ministerial Conference on Environment and
Development (MCED) to be held in Astana in 2010. The Minister of
Environment's Executive Secretary, Anatoliy Dernovoy, introduced the
conference, saying that the 2010 OSCE Chairmanship is especially
important for Kazakhstan and for the environmental portion of
Kazakhstan's responsibilities as the Chair. Kazakhstan hopes to use
its geopolitical position in Central Asia to further the resolution
of several problems, including transportation, tourism, and the
environment.
3. Held every five years, beginning in 1985, the MCED allows all 62
member countries to review the status of their environmental
development and consider joint cooperation in priority areas. In
1985, the MCED focused on human development; in 1990, the
ministerial prepared input for the 1992 Rio Earth Summit; 1995
focused on a sustainable development model for Asia and the Pacific;
and the theme for 2000 was "moving from capacity to concrete
actions." This next Ministerial theme will be to adopt "green
growth" as the region's key strategy, ensuring environmental
sustainability while maintaining economic growth.
4. According to United Nations Economic and Social Commission for
Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) Masakasu Ichimura, the big difference
between Asia and Europe is poverty. Therefore, Asian countries must
find the proper balance between the environment and economic
development. Asia faces the challenges of poverty, access to
resources, and financial help. Astana's MCED will focus on the
environment and development, and the fundamental needs for
furthering green growth along the direction set in the previous
MCED.
5. As the first Ministerial Conference to be held in Central Asia,
it is a tribute to Kazakhstan's leading role in the region. The key
issues for the Ministerial will be to bridge Asia and Europe and
address trans-boundary water issues, climate change adaptation,
resilient development, and the centrality of a green environment to
economic development. The Ministerial format will consist of two to
three days of meetings for senior officials, one or two days for
ministers, and side events. The tentative dates are September
27-October 3, 2010, in Astana.
6. According to Ichimura, the final Ministerial statement will
include a 2010 regional report on sustainable development, a review
of the implementation of sustainable development plans and programs
ASTANA 00002139 002.3 OF 003
in the Asia Pacific region, a thematic paper (to be determined),a
ministerial declaration, an action plan for subsequent years, and a
set of key initiatives in all priority areas.
KAZAKHSTAN IS THE "BRIDGE" BETWEEN EUROPE AND CENTRAL ASIA
7. Central Asian Regional Environmental Center (CAREC) Director
Talaybek Makaev said the major priorities for the upcoming MCED
include a coordinated management plan for water resources in Central
Asia, adaptation to climate change, and sustainable energy
development. He added that one important theme is to regard
Kazakhstan in Central Asia as the "bridge" between Central Asia and
Europe. Civil society, businesses, governments, diplomatic
missions, international and regional organizations, the scientific
community, and the press will participate in MCED. CAREC aims to
clarify the notion of a "green economy" and disseminate that idea to
the general population.
8. According to Makaev, CAREC will form an expert group to prepare
for Astana 2010, coordinate the preparation of ministerial
documents, set up a website as an "information platform," have press
conferences, place ads in the media, and hold forums to exchange
ideas. It will also carry out regional projects, such as the
insulation of older buildings or reduction of pollution to
demonstrate the idea of a green economy.
9. Italian Ambassador Bruno Pasquino, representing the European
Union, said that coordinated development between regions is the key
to good governance. The Asia-Pacific region and Europe need to join
forces to combat climate change, in part because Central Asia is
particularly vulnerable to its consequences. Europe can assist in
policy-making, implementation, development of clean energy and
emission-control technology, energy efficiency, and renewable
energy. Water management is a vital challenge, he asserted, and
Europe will attempt to improve water-management and encourage
regional cooperation. He mentioned that Europe will establish a
European-Central Asian working group on climate change and
environmental governance.
10. OSCE Economy and Environment Director Terry Holland also
stressed the importance of environmental security, noting the
trans-boundary character and global impact of environmental
problems. Resolution of water-resource management in Central Asia
is vital to ensure regional stability. He added that Kazakhstan
today serves as a bridge between Europe and Central Asia, because
Kazakhstan will assume the 2010 OSCE chairmanship. This position
will give Kazakhstan a great opportunity to achieve many important
goals.
BUSINESS SECTOR SUPPORTS THE IDEA OF "GREEN BUSINESS"
11. ESCAP Department of Environmental Policy and Development Aneta
Nikolova said "business as usual" is simply no longer possible.
Economic development faces limitations, including climate change,
environmental pollution, and a shortage of resources. Several good
ideas and initiatives on sustainable development exist, she
asserted, but methods to support them with targeted policies remain
unclear. Because the current ecological footprint of modern
economies exceeds the earth's bio-capacity, she stated that
"business as usual" is just a bad idea.
12. According to Nikolova, a green economy is the wave of the
future. The government and public sector must support the goals of
renewable energy by providing adequate incentives to the business
community. Green business can include not only sustainable
development, but also eco-tourism and the "greening" of the private
sector (e.g., more energy efficient buildings, less energy
consumption, less pollution, etc.). The overall objective is to
attain "eco-efficiency" along with profitability. The government
should support "green business," because they will reduce poverty by
providing green jobs, decrease overall environmental degradation,
help businesses adapt to the effects of climate change, and ensure
ASTANA 00002139 003.3 OF 003
sufficient resources for long-term economic growth. She said
government subsidies to make buildings more green (e.g., better
insulated, less energy intense, etc.),eco-labeling of products, and
micro loans to small- and medium-sized enterprises can also help
promote green business. She proposed a Green Business Exhibition as
a side event at the Astana 2010 MCED.
13. COMMENT: Astana's hosting of the next MCED in 2010 is
important, not only because it is the first time for Central Asia,
but also because it highlights UN, OSCE, and European thoughts on
Kazakhstan's rising status and leading role in Central Asia. Set to
coincide with Kazakhstan's 2010 Chairmanship of the OSCE, it
burnishes Kazakhstan's image as a country that actively promotes
sustainable development. Although Kazakhstan's political will in
this area is clear, its Soviet legacy often hampers its efforts. A
member of the MCED, the United States will most likely send a
delegation to Astana. END COMMENT.
HOAGLAND