Statement International Mountain Day:

"Tackling Climate Change and Building Resilience for Mountain and Rural Communities" 11 December 2017, 1.15-2.30 pm, CR9, UNHQ

Excellencies,

Ms Carla Mucavi

Director of FAO Liaison Office in New York

Mr Jan Kickert

Permanent Representative of Austria to the UN

Mr. Joan J.López

Deputy Permanent Representative of the Principality of Andorra to the UN.

Ms. Louise Blais

Deputy Permanent Representative of Canada to the UN

Distinguished experts and guests,

At the outset I would like to thank everyone joining us today to commemorate International Mountain Day.

Mountains cover 95% of the territory of Kyrgyzstan and 40% of those are above 3,000 meters high. Therefore, Kyrgyzstan has paid great attention to the international mountain agenda over the years, having requested the United Nations General Assembly to declare the International Year of Mountains in 2002.

            Understanding the sustainable mountain development as the integral part of implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development Kyrgyzstan implements several national programs on development of the country's mountain areas. In order to promote the development of regions President of the Kyrgyz Republic Sooronbai Zheenbekov declared 2018 as the Year of Development of Kyrgyzstan's regions. This initiative was a logic continuation of the Concept of the Regions' Development for 2018-2022. which underline the importance of ecological dimension of the regions' sustainable development, and the main tasks to achieve this goal are establishment of favorable environment, preservation of biodiversity, implementation of energy and resource saving technologies.

            In addressing the ecological problems in framework of the SDG15 (Life on Land) Kyrgyz Republic would like to underline the importance of solution of problems connected with neutralization of threat from uranium tailings in Kyrgyzstan and other countries of Central Asia. In this regard Kyrgyzstan presented the updated resolution “The Role of International Community in the Prevention of Radiation Threat in Central Asia” which was adopted by consensus, and 40 Member States have become co-sponsors of this resolution which shows international recognition and support to Kyrgyzstan and Central Asian region in environment protection issues.

            In order to achieve SDG4 (Quality Education) work over expanding access to education for women from mountain areas is being conducted with the international assistance. In 2016 in the Naryn province the University of Central Asia was opened. This was the result of international cooperation between Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Aga-Khan Development Network. The University expands opportunities of rural and mountain dwellers to acquire qualified education and increase possibility to find a decent job.

            Understanding the importance of implementation ofSDG6 (Clean Water and Sanitation) and SDG15 (Responsible Consumption and Production) Government of Kyrgyzstan adopted the State Program of irrigation development of Kyrgyz Republic for 2017-2026 is implemented. The Program would increase water supplement of 56,1 hectares and contribute to more effective and rational use of water resources.

            Other key sphere of activity is the promotion of different international initiatives aimed at highlighting of problems of sustainable mountain development. Particularly, Kyrgyzstan with the assistance of the other UN member states initiated the declaration of 11 December as the International Mountain Day. The other example of Kyrgyzstan's dedication to promotion of international dialogue and cooperation is the 4th World Mountain Forum 2018 "Mountains in a Changing World. Strengthening Partnerships and Pathways towards a Thriving Mountain Future" which took place on 23-26 October 2018 in Bishkek.

            In this regard Kyrgyzstan consider that the sustainable mountain development could be achieved through development of international cooperation and increasing awareness about the current situation with mountain ecosystems as well as through consistent and effective implementation of national plans on achievement of sustainable mountain development as one of important components of SDG 2030 realization. And I hope that this side-event will also contribute to such cooperation.

        Thank you for your attention.