BISHKEK, 5 June 2023 – Today, Kyrgyzstan joins hands with the United Nations, the Ministry of Natural Resources, and environmental activists to commemorate World Environment Day and raise awareness about its significance. The event aims to inspire individuals, businesses, and government agencies in Kyrgyzstan to take action towards a sustainable future and reduce single-use plastic.

Under the theme of plastic pollution, the global community acknowledges the urgent need to address this critical environmental issue. Government agencies and citizens of Kyrgyzstan are called upon to adopt environmentally friendly practices, reduce waste, and conserve natural resources.

In her opening remarks, UN Resident Coordinator Antje Grawe noted that Kyrgyzstan is one of the most climate vulnerable countries in the region, pointing out that the scale and frequency of natural disasters in Kyrgyzstan associated with climate change has increased 1.5 times over the past 12 years, impacting people’s lives, the economy, and the natural habitat. “It is critical to approach climate change, considering its cascading impact on the lives of people, the economy, and biodiversity, and not let it aggravate existing inequalities, hitting hardest those who are poor and vulnerable, especially women and children in rural areas,” she stated. UNRC called on youth to actively engage in climate action to address these interconnected challenges by promoting solutions that prioritize the needs of marginalized communities, ensure a just transition to renewable energy, and address the disproportionate impacts of climate change on vulnerable populations.

The Minister of Natural Resources, Ecology and Technical Oversight signed the Declaration on children, youth, and climate action. Kyrgyzstan is the thirty-ninth country and the second country in Central Asian region to sign the Declaration. By signing the declaration Kyrgyzstan has pledged to ensure that priorities for children and youth are included in climate action.

“Dear friends, protecting the environment is our common responsibility. We cannot remain passive observers and wait for someone to handle the problem. Today I call on each of you to take an active part in the fight against plastic pollution. Let's work together to build a greener future for us and our future generations” – said Melis Turgunbaev, the Minister of Natural Resources, Ecology, and Technical Supervision of the Kyrgyz Republic. 

The event features various workshops and activities aimed at promoting sustainable practices and raising awareness about the importance of collective action. Participants can attend workshops on recycling old clothes into soft toys, transforming plastic into household items, as well as engage in art classes and other activities related to plastic recycling and sustainable practices.

In support of this initiative, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), the World Food Programme (WFP), and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) have actively promoted the environmental agenda and are co-organizing the event to join the United Nations in commemorating World Environment Day. These organizations emphasize the importance of collective efforts in addressing environmental challenges and encourage everyone to actively participate in fighting against single-use plastic. Together, they aim to inspire meaningful action and create a greener and more sustainable future for Kyrgyzstan.

World Environment Day serves as a global platform to promote environmental protection and sustainable development. This year, the world community is paying attention to the problem of plastic. The event calls on government agencies, citizens of Kyrgyzstan to join environmentally friendly practices, reduce waste and conserve natural resources.

Note to editors:

World Environment Day is celebrated annually on June 5th and serves as a flagship campaign for promoting environmental awareness and action worldwide. The event was established by the United Nations General Assembly in 1972 and is celebrated in over 100 countries. Each year, World Environment Day focuses on a specific environmental theme to address pressing issues and inspire global action.