From May 24 to May 27, 2017, within the framework of the project “Involvement of stakeholders in solving problems related to uranium waste in Central Asia” meetings were held in the city of Khujand of the Republic of Tadjikistan, Min-Kush village (Zhumgal district, Naryn region), Shekaftar village (Chatkal District, Jalal-Abad region) and in Mailuu-Suu village (Jalal-Abad oblast) of the Kyrgyz Republic.

The participants of the meetings:

• Jennifer Sehring – OSCE Secretariat, Vienna, Austria, Bureau of Environmental and Economic Programs.
• Sadun Emrealp – International consultant.
• Prudtskih Dmitry – Adviser on environmental issues of the OSCE Office in Bishkek.
• Nurmatov Kahramon – OSCE Office in Bishkek.
• Isabayev Kanybek –Director of the Aarhus Center in Osh.
• Mamadov Ikrom – Director of the Aarhus Center in Khujand.
• Botobekov Bakyt – Head of Public Environmental Information Center in Shekaftar.
• Narybaev Artur – Head of Public Environmental Information Center in Min-Kush.
• Mamasaliev Aidarbek – Head of Public Environmental Information Center in Mailuu-Suu.

At the meeting, in addition to the above-mentioned persons, representatives of the Ministry of Emergency Situations of Tajikistan, local experts, heads of LSGs and residents of villages and cities covered by the project were present. During the meetings, the directors of the Aarhus Centers and the heads of the Public Environmental Information Centers (PEIC) presented the work done for the first phase of the project and plans for the future. The representative of OSCE, Jennifer Sehrring, representatives of the OSCE offices in Kyrgyzstan, D. Prudtski and Tajikistan, M. Rossman noted the positive results achieved within the framework of the project. It was noted that in 2016 the Aarhus Centers carried out all the activities planned within the framework of the project. To strengthen the capacity of the centers, it is necessary to provide a laptop, an projector for the field work. There was a favorable dialogue between the participants, they received answers to the questions that was asked.

The heads of the Local government noted the importance of the work carried out by international donors, such as the OSCE, UNDP in solving problems related to uranium waste. They also expressed their gratitude to the OSCE for the opening of the PEIC in Mailuu-Suu, Min-Kush and Shekaftar. They noted the important role of these centers in the forthcoming works of reclamation of uranium production waste, disseminating information, organization of public monitoring, conducting trainings and meetings on radiation safety.

The heads of local self-government bodies spoke about the problems of shortage of clean drinking water in some areas. They also noted the need to show documentary films for children about radiation safety, and continue to work on informing the population about environmental issues, organizing trainings for residents, including school teachers, radiation health workers. It is necessary to cover the all population. Local youth organizations were asked to explore the possibility of organizing and carrying out activities for young people within the framework of this project.  Local youth organizations were asked to explore the possibility of organizing and carrying out activities for young people within the framework of this project.

During the meeting, participants discussed the results of work for 2016 and work plans for 2017 within the framework of the project “Involvement of stakeholders in solving problems related to uranium waste in Central Asia”. The international consultant and OSCE representatives asked questions about the needs of the local population and the raising sustanability of the PEIC.

K. Isabayev

T. Zhumabekov