A meeting was held in Bishkek between the head of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Kyrgyz Republic, Adylbek Kasymaliev, and the World Bank delegation headed by the regional director for Central Asia, Tatyana Proskuryakova. The key topic of the negotiations was again the construction project of the Kambarata HPP-1 – facility, which, despite the potential economic benefits, raises serious concerns in terms of its impact on the region’s fragile ecosystem.
The parties discussed issues related to financing the project, as well as general support for the budget of Kyrgyzstan from the World Bank and measures to improve the investment climate in the country. Adylbek Kasymaliev emphasized the importance of many years of cooperation with the World Bank, calling it a key partner and reliable ally in the implementation of reforms aimed at the development of the country. True, the question arises: is this «development» too expensive if it threatens unique natural resources and the balance of entire ecosystems?
Tatyana Proskuryakova, for her part, noted progress in resolving border issues between Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan, and also expressed the World Bank’s readiness to further deepen cooperation, both on major projects and on current issues. At the same time, the question remains open: is enough attention paid to environmental assessment and assessment of the long-term consequences of the implementation of such large-scale projects as Kambarata HPP-1 for the environment and future generations?
In the pursuit of economic growth and investment, it is important not to forget the fragile balance of nature and the need to preserve unique ecosystems for future generations. The construction of large hydroelectric power plants like Kambarata HPP-1 inevitably entails major changes in the environment, and it is important that decisions made are based on a thorough analysis of all risks and long-term consequences, and not just on short-term economic benefits.
Alexander Eskendirov (Rivers.Help!)
