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International
Kyrgyzstan promotes the draft United Nations participating country agrees with that now.
General Assembly resolution “Nature knows
no borders: Transboundary cooperation – a The current crisis induced by the COVID-19
key factor for biodiversity conservation and pandemic has significantly affected the societies
sustainable use”, which foresees the adoption and economies of the SPECA countries. It has
of urgent, joint steps and measures to ensure led to disruption of production, contraction in
that future generations have a clean, green economic output and decline in employment
and safe environment. and household incomes. Self-isolation,
social distancing and lock-down measures,
The Kyrgyz Republic actively participates necessary to contain the spread of the
in the work of the ECE and in the United pandemic, have exacerbated already existing
Nations Special Programme for the Economies socioeconomic challenges in the Central
of Central Asia (SPECA). Indeed, it chaired Asian region. It is disturbing to reverse the
the programme in 2020. The ECE will be development progress attained so far, as well
coordinating the support for the SPECA as the prospects of achieving the Sustainable
in 2021, working with the United Nations Development Goals (SDGs). Therefore, up-
Economic and Social Commission for Asia and do-date programmes, in our opinion, should
the Pacific (ESCAP) and the United Nations be developed and implemented in the region,
Resident Coordinators in the SPECA countries. with a focus on:
How does Kyrgyzstan see the role of the SPECA - cooperation in tackling the COVID-19
programme in providing a platform to achieve pandemic and post-pandemic recovery; cross-
sustainable development through cross-border border trade facilitation; regional transport
cooperation, especially in this time of the connectivity; increasing the digital potential
COVID-19 pandemic? for sustainable economic transformation;
Indeed, Kyrgyzstan chaired the SPECA addressing challenges to the further
programme from November 2019 until implementation of SDGs; improved energy
November 2020. After organizing the supply and mutually beneficial cooperation in
fifteenth session of the SPECA’s Governing this area; joint environmental projects aimed
Council back-to-back with the SPECA at climate change mitigation and adaptation
Economic Forum “Regional Cooperation – in the case of Kyrgyzstan – related to the
to Support Socioeconomic Recovery in the rapidly melting glaciers, from which all the
Wake of COVID-19” on 18-20 November water resources of the region originate.
2020, Kyrgyzstan passed the chairmanship - special attention by the SPECA, the ECE and
over to Uzbekistan. Both events were held in the ESCAP must be given to the situation of
virtual mode this year owing to the COVID- landlocked countries like Kyrgyzstan, which
19 situation, and, of course, Kyrgyzstan find themselves in an extremely difficult
chaired all of them. The ECE and the ESCAP’s situation given the current developments.
Subregional Office for North and Central Asia We believe that in these times of crisis the
located in Almaty were a great support to our region has to show the whole world – and
Government and to the Permanent Mission set the example for – regional cooperation
in Geneva in all our efforts and activities and connectivity. Only through joint efforts
during chairmanship. As a participant in the and close commitment we can overcome the
SPECA, Kyrgyzstan values its activities in current crisis. This is our strong belief, and we
the Central Asian region. But we have to be stand ready for further fruitful cooperation
honest, although the SPECA programme has with the ECE, the SPECA and all other
an effect, and there are some results in cross- United Nations organizations and agencies in
border cooperation in transport connectivity general.
and energy-related projects among some
participating countries, the level of efficiency I thank you for your interest and attention to
certainly needs to be raised. It should reflect our Permanent Mission and I wish you and
current issues of high relevance, be improved the DIVA Magazine all the best for 2021! •
and modernized. Pretty much every
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