Uzbekistan delegation visits Latvia to get tips on climate mitigation
The Latvian Association of Local and Regional Governments (LALRG) was hosting a delegation of Uzbekistan representatives on a five-day study visit taking place from 10 to 15 June. The aim of the visit was to introduce with Latvia’s experience in mitigating the impact of climate change and planning adaptation measures in the climate field.
The delegation included the representatives from the Parliament of Uzbekistan, the nationwide movement Yuksalish, Administration of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Bukhara and Surkhandarya region, as well as the National Center for Green Transformation and Climate Change Adaptation.
The activity was implemented in the framework of the two-years’ project “Sustainable Policy Planning in the Field of Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation in Uzbekistan” receiving funding from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Latvia from the development cooperation budget. The aim of the project is to improve Uzbekistan’s sustainable policy planning in the field of climate change by strengthening the capacity of local authorities, raising public awareness of the socio-economic impact of climate change and promoting public involvement in decision-making.
On 11 June, the colleagues from Uzbekistan met with the representatives of the LALRG: the Chairman Mr Gints Kaminskis, Secretary General Ms Mudīte Juhna and Adviser on Environmental Protection Issues Ms Sandra Bērziņa. Likewise, during the meeting the representative of Riga City Council municipality working with LIFE projects Ms Aija Rantiņa presented the experience of Latvia’s capital city in planning and implementing adaptation measures in the field of climate.
Improving legislation in the field of climate
The Chairman of the LALRG introduced the audience with the current priorities of the LALRG, including the ongoing annual negotiations of the LALRG and line ministries on budget issues, where solutions are jointly discussed, so that a protocol of agreements and disagreements can be signed with the Prime Minister already in the autumn. Mr Kaminskis also emphasised the current difficult situation in the field of finances of local governments, stressing the impact of the decisions made at the state level related to the local authorities’ budgets. The Chairman of the LALRG thanked the delegation for the valuable and effective cooperation in the framework of the project, as well as shortly discussed the possibilities of future cooperation. The delegation was also interested in the topics of public participation and opportunities in the decision-making process in municipalities in the field of climate.
In the continuation of the visit the delegation has met with the representatives of the Ministry of Climate and Energy of the Republic of Latvia, namely, Minister’s Advisor on Cooperation Mr Andis Jēkabsons, Director of the Department of Financial Instruments in Climate and Energy Mr Raimonds Kašs and Senior Expert Ms Marina Poutanen, as well as Director of the Department of Climate Change Ms Aiga Grasmane. Colleagues from Uzbekistan were especially interested in issues related to the improvement of legislation in the field of climate, as well as mechanisms of public participation in decision-making. During the meeting future cooperation opportunities between Latvia and Uzbekistan were also discussed.
During the third day of the study visit the delegation has met with the representatives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Latvia: Director of the First Bilateral Relations’ Department Mr Uldis Mikuts, Director of the Department of Economic Relations, Trade and Development Cooperation Ms Alise Balode, Third Secretary of the Development Cooperation Department Mr Pauls Gailītis, as well as the Director of the Development Cooperation Department of the Central Finance and Contracting Agency Ms Dana Heiberga.
The delegation has also had informative visit at the Ministry of Economics of the Republic of Latvia, as well as visited Jelgava city municipality meeting with Vice Executive Director Ms Līga Daugaviete, Head of the agency “Urban economy” Mr Māris Mielavs, Board Member of “Jelgava bus fleet” Ltd. Mr Gints Burks and Chief Specialist on External Communications and International Relations Ms Marta Vēbere.
