The future belongs to the environment

Kyrgyzstan, Bishkek, November 23, 2022 - GIP Regional Office in Central Asia, AIFC Green Finance Center, GFC Bishkek and Doscredobank held the first Green Investment Forum in Kyrgyzstan.

The issues of climate crisis and mitigation of its consequences, sustainable financing standards, green banking, sustainable development tools and the importance of switching to ESG principles have been discussed on the forum.

The Forum was opened by Azamat Temirkulov, Head of the Monitoring and Analysis of Reforms Department of the Presidential Administration of the Kyrgyz Republic.

“Green finance and green investment are one of the main growth points for the development of the Green Economy in Kyrgyzstan. This direction is advantageous both for businessmen and financiers, and for the environment and all citizens in general. Green energy must remain on the agenda. But we must also focus on other areas that are important to us. This is primarily the development of agroforestry and horticulture” - he said.

Manas Zhakypov, Deputy Chairman of the National Bank of the Kyrgyz Republic:

“In current economic system, a lot of attention is paid to social and environmental issues. The implementation of new solutions must take into account the implementation of sustainable development goals. I would like to wish a productive discussion all participants of the Forum”.

The Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of China to the Kyrgyz Republic Du Dewen attended the Forum:

“Kyrgyzstan is one of the first countries that takes an active part in the construction of “One Belt - One Road”. Over the past nine years, China and Kyrgyzstan have been actively cooperating and implementing a number of important projects in the Kyrgyz Republic within the framework of the initiative. In joint construction of “One Belt - One Road” China is always governed by the concept of environment and green development” - she said.

The Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Kazakhstan to the Kyrgyz Republic, Rapil Zhoshybayev, delivered a welcoming speech:

“Kyrgyzstan, in turn, is our strategic partner, relations with which are based on alliance, good-neighborly relations and reliability. Kazakhstan is ready to further develop mutually beneficial cooperation with Kyrgyzstan in terms of green and sustainable agenda” - said Rapil Zhoshybayev.

“We have done a lot of work in Kyrgyzstan together in a short time. We plan to issue green bonds with Doscredobank by the end of the year. It is important to bear in mind that by buying green bonds, you entrust these amounts to the bank, which will promote a green agenda in Kyrgyzstan. In this direction I have already met the understanding of industrial enterprises and industry companies” - Aydar Kazybayev, General Director of the Green Finance Center.

Doscredobank continuously works to reduce the negative environmental impact at the level of business strategies and supports projects with specific environmental benefits, implementing on the DCB Green project platform.

“Conservation of natural resources, minimization of energy consumption and formation of “green” economy is one of the key environmental directions under the scope of DCB Green project. We are reducing waste and resource consumption, and we are focusing on many other issues on the environmental agenda. In addition, the Bank finances projects to upgrade plant equipment and reduce emissions. We are sure that this forum contributes to the development of the “DCB Green” direction and we will be able to introduce new and interesting projects that will make Kyrgyzstan greener and greener” - said Cholpon Eshberdieva, Chairwoman of the Board of Doscredobank.

The forum was attended by more than 150 people, including representatives of the Presidential administration, the National Bank, the Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China, the Ambassador of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Union of Banks of the Kyrgyz Republic, as well as international organizations, commercial banks and representatives of the education sector.

The event ended with a training from the AIFC Green Finance Center “Basics of ESG-investments”.