Kyrgyz Republic – From 21 to 25 October 2024, the Second European Union – Kyrgyzstan Sustainable Energy Days took place in the cities of Bishkek and Osh. Organised annually by the European Union (EU) in cooperation with the Ministry of Energy and the Ministry of Education and Science of the Kyrgyz Republic, this campaign engages and fosters dialogue on sustainable energy transition among energy experts, policymakers, civil society, businesses, youth, and children. The event featured a variety of activities, including expert discussions, a student debate, and the Most Energy Efficient School award ceremony.
H.E. Marilyn Josefson, Ambassador of the European Union to the Kyrgyz Republic, stated: “The EU welcomes Kyrgyzstan’s commitment to a sustainable energy future and supports the endorsement of its Energy Programme 2035, which provides for the clean energy path. The EU – Kyrgyzstan Sustainable Energy Days are a testament to our shared commitment to promoting sustainable energy with an ultimate goal to address and adapt to climate change. Through this initiative, we aim to empower policymakers, businesses, and the younger generation to advance green growth in Kyrgyzstan. This event not only raises awareness about the economic and social benefits of sustainable energy, but also encourages everyone to actively participate in building a greener, more resilient future.”
In Osh, the European Union awarded Secondary School №14 named after K. Altybaev as the Most Energy Efficient School. The Award Ceremony was attended by students, teachers, parents, representatives of the Ministry of Energy and the Ministry of Education and Science, the Department of Education of the Osh city, as well as the EU diplomats and EU project experts.
In Bishkek, the Kyrgyz State Technical University named after I. Razzakov became a stage for the Student Lectures and Debate on sustainable energy. The students from the Kyrgyz Agrarian University named after Skryabin (KAU), and the International University of Innovative Technologies (IUIT) also took part. They explored the EU approaches to renewable energy and energy efficiency and debated solutions for sustainable building design in Kyrgyzstan. The EU awarded all participating students with a free access to the Energy training delivered online by the Florence School of Regulation (Italy), a European centre of excellence for innovative trainings on energy and climate.
All campaign actions were implemented by the EU-funded project “Sustainable Energy Connectivity in Central Asia (SECCA)” from the EU side. The project experts and the local “Unison Group” environmental advisory firm also held a panel discussion at the Central Asian Regional Forum “Green Economy 2024” organised by the Ministry of Energy and conducted a side event for policymakers and businesses in the construction sector. They shared the EU and Member States experiences in green construction and sustainable building practices.
Background:
The European Union is an economic and political union of 27 European countries. It is founded on the values of respect for human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, the rule of law and respect for human rights, including the rights of persons belonging to minorities. It acts globally to promote sustainable development of societies, environment and economies, so that everyone can benefit.
The European Union – Kyrgyzstan Sustainable Energy Days is part of the broader European Union – Central Asia Sustainable Energy Days campaign. Its purpose is to enhance the awareness of national stakeholders and the public in the region of Central Asia on the significance, benefits and accessibility of sustainable energy and the interlinkage between energy and climate change. It also represents a global edition of EU Sustainable Energy Week (EUSEW), the largest annual event dedicated to renewables and efficient energy use in Europe, initiated in 2007 by the European Commission. The campaign is organised yearly in the countries of Central Asia by the EU-funded project “Sustainable Energy Connectivity in Central Asia (SECCA)”.
The EU-funded project “Sustainable Energy Connectivity in Central Asia (SECCA)” (from March 2022 to March 2026) aims to promote a sustainable energy mix in the Central Asia region in line with EU best practices. To fulfil its mission, SECCA strives to provide for strengthened and more inclusive policy, regulatory and institutional framework for the transition to a sustainable energy system, within a regional context, and focuses on contributing to the fulfilment of international human rights commitments in CA countries, including equal access to energy, and supporting gender inclusive policies and legislation for energy efficiency (EE) and renewable energy (RE). The project activities include capacity development for EE and RE deployment, awareness raising on EE and RE, and improving investment climate for EE and RE projects.
For additional information, please contact Mrs Yelena Serebrennikova, Senior Strategic Communication Expert, SECCA, email: media@secca.eu, WhatsApp: +77019814020, Mrs Nurgul Smagulova-Dulic, Digital Communication and Media Relations Expert, SECCA, email: nurgul.smagulova@secca.eu, WhatsApp: +77012066760, or the EU Delegation to the Kyrgyz Republic, email: delegation-kyrgyzstan-pic@eeas.europa.eu.
