DUSHANBE, November 9, Asia-Plus — A three-day Forum for Sustainable Development of Central Asian Regions was launched in Astana, Kazakhstan on November 8.
Ms. Zebo Homidova, secretary at the Tajik Branch of Central Asian Mountain Partnership (CAMP), told Asia-Plus that the forum, staged by CAMP and the Alliance of Central Asian Mountain Communities (AGOCA), has brought together some 80 representatives of national regional and international NGOs, government organizations, business structures, academic circles and village communities from Tajikistan, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan.
Representatives from CAMP Kuhiston, Civil Service Training Institute, national NGOs and village communities, as well as researchers are representing Tajikistan at the forum, the secretary said.
According to her, the mission of the forum is to strengthen the network of organisations working on sustainable development of Central Asian mountain regions
and stimulate multi-level policy dialogue.
The forum participants are sharing experiences in establishing and expanding cooperation and joint work of government organizations with all interested sides, including rural population and organizations based on communities.
CAMP is financed by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) and is designed and implemented by the Center for Development and Environment (CDE) of the University of Berne. In 2000, CAMP started operating in Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, and Tajikistan. The period from 2007 till 2008 is the final phase of CAMP
It is planned to work in two main directions: capitalization of the experience and results of CAMP activities from 2000 to 2006, which will include analyzing and selecting the best products (tools and approaches) of the program; and institutional strengthening of the organizations initiated by CAMP which continue to work as partners in different directions.
Presently the future form of cooperation between the following organizations is being discussed: CAMP Alatoo, Mountain Villages Partnership and Development Foundation (Kyrgyzstan), CAMP-Consulting (Kazakhstan), CAMP Kuhiston (Tajikistan), Alliance of Central Asian Mountain Communities (AGOCA).
Alliance of Central Asian Mountain Communities (AGOCA) is the main platform of CAMP agencies’ activities in mountain communities. AGOCA encourages exchange of knowledge and experience between mountain communities and promotes interests of its members. Presently AGOCA is uniting 32 villages (16 – from Kyrgyzstan, 11 – from Tajikistan and 5 – from Kazakhstan).
Mountain Villages Partnership and Development Foundation servers as a platform for private enterprises, individuals and development agencies willing to support projects promoting sustainable use of natural resources of mountain villages.
