DUSHANBE, October 17, 2013, Asia-Plus — Within the EU – Central Asia Strategy for a New Partnership Platform for Environment and Water Cooperation, national training-seminar ‘Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA)’ takes place in Dushanbe on October 17-18.
According to press release issue by the Delegation of the European Union (EU) to Tajikistan, there were more than 40 participants from the national and regional organizations concerned about environmental issues and natural resources, representatives from the Committee on Environment Protection, Ministry of Land Reclamation and Water Resources, Academy of Sciences, scientists societies, as well as leading national experts involved in the development of Environmental Impact Assessments took part in the training.
EIAs are being used as a tool for the environment protection and reduction of industry impacts since 60-es. The EIA procedures require both public consultations and local authorities and stakeholders. It serves as an effective tool for conflict prevention and environment conservation. Strategic Environmental Assessment is and additional process to EIA which supports strategic decisions while developing policies, long term plans and programs.
The participants got acquitted with best practices in EIA of the EU member states, shared experience of EIA development in European Union and Central Asian states, development of EIA with trans-boundary contexts, and discuss issues related to the public participation in the EIAs developments and hearings.
The European Union is committed to sharing its achievements and its values with countries and peoples beyond its borders. To this end the EU is active in Tajikistan since 1992 and provides approximately EUR 25 million annually in development assistance.
