In Bishkek, a national conference on problems in the mining regions

The Eurasia Foundation of Central Asia's "Local Transparency and Cooperation Initiative," with financial support from the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), held a national conference "Building Cooperation Among Stakeholders and Local Communities in Mining Regions"on the eve in Bishkek.

 

Opening the conference, former President of the Kyrgyz Republic Roza Otunbayeva emphasized that the energy and mining industries are two pillars of the country’s economy. That is why the mining industry should receive continued attention. "We need to meet more often and discuss these problems, to increase social responsibility and account for demands of local populations," Otunbayeva said.

 

Conference participants discussed the possibility of using other countries' experiences with cooperation between government agencies, mining companies,and the local communities.

 

At the end of the conference, a resolution was adopted, as well as recommendations for conflict prevention and building cooperation in the mining sector.