TAJIKISTAN’S HYDROPOWER POTENTIAL ONE OF KEY FACTORS TO PROVIDE ENERGY SECURITY IN CA, SAYS ENERGY CHARTER HEAD

Source: CARNet, 8.05.2009

Foreign Minister Hamrokhon Zarifi yesterday met with visiting Energy Charter Secretary General, Ambassador Andre Mernier, the MFA information department reports.

In the course of the talks, the two exchanged views on all directions of cooperation between Tajikistan and the Energy Charter.

Tajik minister noted that Tajikistan attached significance to activity of the Energy Charter and implementation of the Energy Charter Treaty because they laid legal foundation of cooperation in the filed of energy in the Eurasian region as well as underlined the importance of implementation of the hydroelectricity projects in Tajikistan.

For his part, Mr. Mernier noted that the Energy Charter considered hydropower potential of Tajikistan as one of key factors to provide energy security in the Central Asian region. He pointed to the necessity of cooperation between the countries of the region in issues related to use of Tajikistan’s hydropower potential and expressed readiness to provide assistance in that. He also pointed out a significance of political stability for development of the energy sector in the region.

The Energy Charter head also stressed the importance of establishment of cooperation between the countries of the region in implementing large hydroelectricity projects and expressed interest in visiting some of them after his visit to Tajikistan.

UNDP TAJIKISTAN ORGANIZES WORKSHOP TO ASSESS UNDP’S CONTRIBUTION TO DEVELOPMENT RESULT

Source: CARNet, 8.05.2009

UNDP CO Tajikistan and UNDP Evaluation Office organized the stakeholder workshop on the results of the assessment of UNDP’s contribution to development result in late April, press release issued by the UNDP Dushanbe Office on May 8 said.

The event participants included representatives of the government, relevant international organizations and local NGOs.

The ADR mission assessed UNDP contributions in Tajikistan for the period from 2001 to 2008 years. The purpose of the ADR was to assist UNDP in finding out the lessons learnt, in continuing to build on its strengths and enhance its contribution to national development results. The findings and recommendations of the ADR are intended to inform the preparation of the next strategic Country Program and improve the development interventions.

At the opening session, Mr Rastislav Vrbensky, UNDP Country Director Tajikistan, conveyed welcoming and introductory message followed by opening remarks by Mr. Oscar Garcia, Senior Evaluation Advisor, UNDP Evaluation Office and Mr. Muzaffar Khuseynov, Head of the Department of International Organizations, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Mr.Abdugaffor Rahmonov the First Deputy Head of the State Investment Committee and Management of the State Property. This was followed by a presentation by Mr. Leif Manger, ADR Team Leader on evaluation of UNDP’s contribution to development results.

During the session key findings, conclusions and recommendations were discussed.

Subsequently, key observations were made by Mr. Muzaffar Khuseynov, Mr. Rastislav Vrbensky and Mr. Mahmood Ayub, Head of Central Asian Cluster. Apparently, quiet a higher number of questions and suggestions were exchanged between the audience, the evaluation team and UNDP country office. Different government representatives such as Anti corruption agency, Ministry of Economic Development and Trade and Strategic Research Centre each commented on the significance of UNDP positive contributions in Tajikistan.

After a second round of questions and observations, next step and Finalizing of the report were discussed. Comments were noted to make corrections on certain areas in ADR. Final remarks were made by Mr. Rahmonov, the First Deputy Head of State Committee on Investment and State Property.

Then Mr. Rastislav Vrbensky made concluding remarks thanking all the participants for their comments and suggestions that will further enhance the quality of the final version of ADR.