On 27 September 2019, in Moscow, the first meeting of the heads of SCO Member State environmental protection ministries and agencies took place under the chairmanship of Minister of Natural Resources and Environment of the Russian Federation Dmitry Kobylkin. The event was attended by the heads of relevant executive authorities and senior representatives of India, Kazakhstan, China, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, as well as Special Representative of the President of the Russian Federation on SCO Bakhtiyor Khakimov and SCO Deputy Secretary-General Sherali Saidamir Jonon.
The delegation heads were in general agreement that there is considerable potential for furthering cooperation in environmental protection within the SCO. The existing regulatory framework, including the Concept for SCO Member States’ Cooperation in Environmental Protection (adopted at the SCO summit in Qingdao on 10 June 2018) and the Action Plan for its implementation (approved at the Meeting of Council of SCO Heads of State in Bishkek on 14 June 2019), is generally conducive to practical cooperation in this area.
In this regard, specific steps were discussed in the spheres indicated in these documents. In particular, an agreement was reached on exploring the possibility of creating specialized expert groups for conserving biological diversity, adapting to climate change and mitigating the effects thereof, for waste management, improving environmental education and awareness at all levels, as well as for scientific and technical cooperation in environmental protection.
The parties took part in a detailed exchange of views on the most relevant aspects of environmental issues, including those related to the environmental well-being of SCO member state cities. Particular attention was paid to the topic of improving the environmental situation in large cities and industrial and cultural centres.
A draft SCO City Environmental Wellbeing Programme, aimed at reducing the vulnerability of the urban population to anthropogenic impact over urban ecosystems, was approved.
In addition, it was decided to hold expert consultations on attracting investments for environmental protection and financing joint projects and programmes aimed at improving its quality.
The next Ministerial Meeting is scheduled for 2020 in Tajikistan.
Official website of Russia’s SCO presidency: https://eng.sco-russia2020.ru
