22 January 2016: The UN Environment Programme (UNEP) reported on its cooperation with Central Asian countries to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly on mountain issues, waste management, green economy and sustainable consumption and production (SCP). According to a UNEP press release, countries have made progress in identifying priorities for action on sustainable development.

UNEP opened a regional office in Almaty, Kazakhstan, in 2015, with the aim of supporting sustainable development efforts in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon visited all five countries in 2015, calling for closer cooperation among Central Asian States. At a UNEP-supported meeting of the Interstate Commission on Sustainable Development of Central Asia (ICSD) in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, in 2015, countries called for support on mountains, waste management, managing the transition to a green economy, and the adoption of “green legislation.” At a further meeting on the 10-Year Framework of Programmes on sustainable consumption and production (10YFP) in Almaty, they also agreed on a process toward achieving SDG 12 (Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns).

The five countries cooperate on environmental management through the ‘Environment for Europe’ ministerial meetings, and through the ICSD. The ICSD was established in 1994 to coordinate regional cooperation on environment and sustainable development. Each of the five countries has three representatives on the ICSD, for a total of 15 members. The ICSD has two executive bodies: the Scientific and Information Center; and the Secretariat. The organization has also established a Regional Mountain Center and a Regional Center for Renewable Energy.

Among the documents produced under the auspices of the ICSD are: the first integrated “state of environment” assessment for Central Asia in 2007; and the Framework Convention for the Protection of the Environment for Sustainable Development in Central Asia, signed by three countries, in 2006. [UNEP Press Release] [ICSD Website]