08 October 2024

Significant Cooperation for Sustainable Future: Tripartite Meeting on the Solid Waste Environmental Enhancement Project

Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan – On October 8, 2024, an important tripartite meeting between the Asian Development Bank (ADB) official delegation, representatives of the Ministry of Natural Resources, Ecology and Technical Supervision of the Kyrgyz Republic and the Community Development and Investment Agency of the Kyrgyz Republic (ARIS) was held. The main objective of the meeting is to discuss the preparation and implementation of the Solid Waste Environment Enhancement Project (SWEEP).

The ADB delegation included Mr. Zhen Wu, Country Director of the ADB Kyrgyz Resident Mission, Ms. Heeyoung Hong, Principal Urban Development Specialist and a number of other experts. The Kyrgyz side was represented at the meeting by the Minister of Natural Resources, Ecology and Technical Supervision of the Kyrgyz Republic - Mr. Meder Mashiev, Ms. Asel Murzobaeva, Head of the Waste Management Department. As well as Mr. Mars Naspekov, ARIS Executive Director, Mrs.  Asel Mambetkulova, Deputy Executive Director and other representatives from the Ministry and ARIS sides. During the meeting, ARIS presented successful developments in solid waste management under the ongoing projects. Mr. Zhen Wu emphasized ADB's interest in supporting the project and reported on availability of various financing modality that would be adapted to the requirements of Kyrgyzstan.

Mr. M.A. Mashiev noted that this project is extremely important for the country in terms of climate change and expressed the readiness of the Ministry to actively participate in the Project implementation, noting its relevance and significance for environmental sustainability of the country. ARIS Executive Director - M.D. Naspekov, added that it is necessary to identify key steps for preparation of the project to ensure its successful implementation.

Based on the meeting results, the parties agreed on further steps to promote the SWEEP project, emphasizing the importance of working together to achieve sustainable results in waste management, which opens up new horizons for the environmental initiative in Kyrgyzstan. It is expected that the project will not only improve solid waste management, but also contribute to the sustainable development of the country.