AKIPRESS.COM - EU SWITCH-Asia will be launched in Kyrgyzstan, Bishkek on July 5 to introduce the programme in Central Asia, discuss challenges and opportunities related to SCP and define its work plan for Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan for the next years.

The event will be co-organized by the SWITCH-Asia SCP Facility, the European Commission, Directorate-General for International Cooperation and Development (DG DEVCO), and concerned European Union Delegations. Representatives of national governments, EU Delegations, United Nations agencies, and key stakeholders (business, academia, NGOs, MSMEs, among others) will contribute to the interactive discussions on the importance and necessity for promoting SCP patterns in Central Asia, in order to support the five targeted countries’ transition towards a low-carbon, resource-efficient and circular economy.

The urgent need to change from unsustainable consumption and production patterns to a green economy and sustainable development is increasingly being recognized. This shift requires adequate policies, implementation mechanisms with appropriate enabling capacity, awareness raising and education, together with innovation and responsibility.