In Bishkek, the Forum ‘Green Economy: Central Asia's Green Development Path - 2024’ has discussed the development of green energy, sustainable tourism, green construction and waste management.

Within the global and regional challenges, the green economy remains the main tool to ensure the sustainable development of Central Asian countries. Strengthening regional cooperation and promoting joint initiatives are necessary for coordinated interaction between the region and the international community to prioritise climate change risk reduction, enhance sustainable economic development of the region's nations, and ensure their sustainable development.

The Cabinet of Ministers in the face of the Ministry of Economy and Commerce initiated a public-private dialogue at the regional level within the Forum ‘Green Economy - 2024’, which focuses on issues of green economy regional development in Central Asia.

The Green Expo 2024 exhibition was held in parallel with the Forum, where local companies presented their products and services. For example, Anto. kg, which supplies specialised machinery to the country, is the official distributor of the SDLJ brand. Specialised machinery is used in road works and mining.

By the way, the brand has elements of commitment to the green economy, for example, dump trucks that run on electricity, without paraffin and diesel, and excavators, which have fewer exhaust gases, respectively, and minimise damage to nature.

What is also important is, that if 35-50 tonne excavators break down in the mountains, it will be very difficult to transport them and very costly. That is why in such situations the company's mechanics can go to the place and solve the problem.

The firm ‘ZhasMir’ exhibited its products - textile products. It has two directions: it is tailoring products to order for those who would like their brand and for those who trade on marketplaces; the second direction - they train competent personnel - seamstresses and tailors for the local market. By the way, they are employed at their production facilities.

The company's premises are heated with gas, and they try to work in a zero-waste way, working in collaboration with projects which recycle fabric and make new products from sewing scraps.

"Eco Suu" company participated in the exhibition to attract attention and possibly investment. Within two years it has produced 29 items and plans to develop and scale up further. Now the range includes liquid kurut and sorbet of various kinds, made, by the way, from natural eco-friendly ingredients. Fruits for sherbet are purchased from farmers in Batken.

Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers Edil Baisalov, speaking to the attendees, noted that today mountainous regions, particularly, Central Asia, our ecosystem, feel the effects of climate change. He also emphasised that Kyrgyzstan has not seen a proper pace of green economy introduction. Even though the republic regularly holds events on the green economy, it is not yet ready for its active introduction.

The official also said the green economy opens the way to transformations aligning economic growth with environmental sustainability.

The Forum also included plenary sessions and sectoral discussions on financing green projects, green energy, sustainable tourism, waste management and green construction. International experts and business representatives discussed significant initiatives and projects, aimed at reducing the negative impact on the environment and promoting sustainable economic growth.

The Forum's results will be the basis for the national strategies to be prepared for the upcoming 29th Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP-29), which will take place from 11 to 22 November 2024 in Azerbaijan.