December 1 - UNDP-UNEP Partnership Initiative for Mainstreaming Sound Chemical Management into  Development Plans and Processes and  UNDP/GEF project “Management and Disposal of PCB” organized a round table discussion of the “Experience of Latvia in Management of Medical, PCB-containing  and Other Hazardous Waste” initiated by Latvian counterparts. Participants of the round table learned about the results of the global medical waste management project and received information about PCB-containing waste management in Latvia. Learn more from Tatyana Filkova (t.filkova@up.elcat.kg) and Mirbek Iliyazov (m.ilyazov@up.elcat.kg).

The Dag Hammarskjöld Fund for Journalists is now accepting applications from professional journalists from developing countries for its 2012 fellowship program. The application deadline is Wednesday, March 30, 2012.

The fellowships are available to radio, television, print and web journalists, age 25 to 35, from developing countries who are interested in coming to New York to report on international affairs during the 67th session of the United Nations General Assembly.  The fellowships will begin in early September and extend to late November and will include the cost of travel and accommodations in New York, as well as a per diem allowance.

March, 2, 2012

Kyrgyzstan became a full member of the United Nations on March 2^nd, 1992, hence the year 2012 marks the 20 years of existence of the UN in the Kyrgyz Republic. The country participates in world summits dedicated to modern developmental problems, and makes its contributions to the development of joint measures and solutions on the most pressing directions. Numerous important initiatives set forth by Kyrgyzstan have been supported by the UN member states.

On February 21, 2012 jury panel of the photography and poster contest titled Live Better: Right Here, Right Now met in the UN House in Bishkek to evaluate the submitted works. The contest was announced on December 1, 2011 and we stopped accepting submissions on February 10, 2012. Main goal of the contest was to visualize processes, principles, goals and other aspects of local self-governance. Works submitted for the contest will be used as advocacy and educational tools for the general public as well as decision makers.

The following submissions were selected as the best:

Naryn, Kyrgyzstan (22 February 2012) – During February 22-24 administration of Naryn Province will work on finalizing the Naryn Province Development Strategy with support of the the UNDP and UNEP Poverty and Environment Initiative (PEI). During 3 days Vladimir Mikhalev, Policy Advisor on Poverty Reduction of UNDP Regional Center for Europe and CIS in Bratislava, and staff of the Naryn Province Administration jointly work on the Development Strategy taking into account linkages of poverty and environment.

Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan (February 10, 2012) – Today UNDP in Kyrgyzstan presented a new project called "Effective disaster risk management for sustainable development and human security" to the local appraisal committee. The project is designed for 2012-16 and will be implemented together with the Kyrgyz Republic Ministry of Emergency Situations to help the Government reduce disaster risks and strengthen the national system of prevention and preparedness. The total project budget for 5 years is $5 million.

Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan (January 4, 2012) –  In 2011 UNDP Disaster Risk Management Programme helped to reconstruct five pedestrian bridges in three villages of Boz-Uchuk village district of Aksy district of Issyk-Kul province.  For years these bridges/roads in the village had not been maintained and posed risks to the lives of people. A total of 7,5 km of internal roads in the Ichke-Jergez, Novo-Voznesovka and Enchilesh villages  were renovated providing safe access for people to agricultural and pasture lands.

Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan (December 28, 2011) –  In  2011 UNDP Disaster Risk Management Programme helped plant 5 thousand transplants of 12 species in a forestry territory of the National Academy of Science located in Ak-Soo district of Issyk-Kul province. Local community helped to clean the forest from broken and dry woods. This helped local residents make some provision of firewood and decrease risks to forest fire.

Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan (27 December, 2011) – A 7.5 km long road between Kok-Bulak and Ashuu-Tor and 10 bridges were reconstructed the village Tort-Kul of Tong district of Issyk-Kul province. UNDP Disaster Risk Management Programme provided 225 000 soms for implementation of these projects. Along with local rescue teams, reconstruction works also engaged members of vulnerable households who received food for their work from UNWFP. 202 members of vulnerable households received a total of 27.5 tons of wheat flour and vegetable oil.

Karakol, Kyrgyzstan (December 27, 2011) – Association of fish farms of Issyk-Kul province received 829,662 soms ($ 17,850) worth of equipment for production of fish food (feed mills and floor scales). Each of the three piece equipment can provide for up to 1 ton per hour of balanced fortified fish feed. This volume is sufficient for fisheries of the region to reach the planned maximum level of fish production - 500 tons per year - estimated needs of the population of the Issyk-Kul region in fish products.