Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan (May 28, 2008) – Today, UNDP Resident Representative and UN Resident Coordinator in Kyrgyz Republic Neal Walker met with the Prime Minister Igor Chudinov.

During the meeting, parties discussed further joint actions to solve the problem of uranium tailings in the Kyrgyz Republic and the preparation process for the high level international forum on this issue, which was initiated by the President Bakiyev in January 2008 and supported by UNDP Headquarters.
Neal Walker informed about the results of his visits to Switzerland and the Russian Federation and negotiations held with different UN agencies, EurAsEC, government structures regarding coordination of common efforts on solving the tailings issue and environment protection assistance.  Parties showed readiness for cooperation in implementing necessary measures.

These negotiations were based on the joint statement of the Kyrgyz Republic Cabinet, Eurasian Economic Community Integration Committee Secretariat and UNDP addressed to the governments, international organizations, development agencies and other interested parties on the danger of radioactive contamination in Central Asia signed in September 2007 in Kyrgyzstan.

It was noted that the tailings issue in Kyrgyzstan has an impact at the national as well as regional levels and potential risks require an active involvement of international community and donors, and the countries of the region.

They outlined next steps for preparation of high level international forum on the tailings issue and implementation of joint UNDP and the Kyrgyz Republic Cabinet project on assessment of Republic’s capabilities in tailings management in the transboundary context.

Also, parties discussed issues of developing cooperation between the Kyrgyz Republic and the UN, UNDP, taking into account national development priorities.

UNDP is the UN’s global development network, advocating for change and connecting countries to knowledge, experience and resources to help people build a better life. We are on the ground in 166 countries, working with them on their own solutions to global and national development challenges. As they develop local capacity, they draw on the people of UNDP and our wide range of partners.

For more information, please contact:
Leonid Komarover
Senior Policy Advisor
Phone: 996.312.611211
Email:   lk@undp.kg