Form 2 to 3 November a round table on the topic “Development of cooperation with civil society organizations of the Issyk-Kul region in the implementation of the Aarhus Convention. Opportunities and conditions of opening a branch of the Aarhus Centre in Cholpon-Ata” was held. It was organized by the OSCE Centre in Bishkek and the Aarhus Centre in Bishkek with the participation of the State Agency for Environmental Protection and Forestry (SAEPF) under the Government the Kyrgyz Republic. The roundtable were attended by 27 guests, including representatives of the Issyk-Kul regional administration, the regional department of GAOOSSLH, GIETB, NGOs, civil society Issyk-Kul region.

At the opening of the round table, an introductory and welcoming statement was made by:

• Payziev E. – Senior assistant of department of economic and environmental programs of the OSCE Centre in Bishkek;
• Zhamankulov A. – an employee of Issyk-Kul regional state administration.

The main speaker of the round table was Nurbekov A. – Head of the Aarhus Centre in Bishkek, who made a presentation on the topic: “Summary of the Aarhus Center in Bishkek. Objectives and work plans of the Aarhus Center for 2017 “.

During the discussion of the report by the invitees were voiced suggestions, opinions and comments:

• Shestova O.A. – laboratory worker of the Issyk-Kul territorial SAEPF management. She expressed opinion on cooperation with Aarhus Centres, promoting projects and implementation of their plans in the region, together with all the agencies and organizations;
• Kulataev M. – Head of the Department of Management proposed to involve students of region in conservation of natural resources;
• Bondareno L.E. – Representative of NGO “Nazik-Zamandash” expressed the opinion about the necessity of opening a branch in Cholpon-Ata and joint plans in conservation of natural resources and environmental protection;
• Kyshtobaev R. – representative of the Issyk-Kul GIETB Territorial Administration has proposed stricter rules for the use of natural resources and the need for civilian control over the observance of legality in relation to the application of nature.

Then, the round table participants were briefed on the plans of the OSCE Centre in Bishkek to open a branch of the Aarhus Centre in Bishkek to Issyk-Kul region.

At the end of round table two video clips were shown about the collection of household waste in the Tien Shan mountains and in Issyk-Kul lake.