Central Asian Initiative on SD

CAI IS A PLATFORM FOR THE PARTNERSHIP DIALOGUE IN CENTRAL ASIA ON SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT                                                

             

Central Asian Initiative on Sustainable Development (CAI) a dialogue platform for the sub-regional inter-sectoral cooperation and partnership between Central Asian countries in the field of environmental protection.

CAI was put forward by the governments of Central Asian countries as they prepared for the World Summit on Sustainable Development in 2002 in Johannesburg (South Africa). The initiative was developed and built on experiences and lessons learned over more than a decade of independence of Central Asia countries.

CAREC plays the key role in promoting CAI. For example, a meeting of ministers of economy, finance and environmental protection of Central Asian countries was held on the 20th of September 2001 in Almaty (Kazakhstan). As a result, the decision was taken to establish a sub-regional partnership through elaboration of common objectives and strengthening of cooperation mechanisms for sustainable development (“Central Asian Initiative for Sustainable Development/Central Asian Agenda 21”).

CAI goals of Central Asian countries were recognized and supported at the regional ministerial conferences of the European region (Geneva, 2001) and Asian and Pacific region (Cambodia, 2001), as well as at the WSSD (Johannesburg, 2002).

Main priorities of CAI

• Enhancement of environmental management.
• Strengthening of the civil society’s role.
• Promotion of education for sustainable development (ESD).
• Coordinated approach to the water resources management.
• Sustainable energy development and use.
• Promotion of environmentally sustainable livelihood.

Sub-regional workshop on Central Asian Initiative for Sustainable development