22 May 2017
The Conference “EU-Central Asia: Reaching Sustainable Development Goals” was organized by the Permanent Representation of the Slovak Republic to the EU and the Embassy of the Republic of Tajikistan in Belgium on 18 March 2017. The aim of the Conference was to discuss the challenges of sustainable development in Central Asia with a focus on Tajikistan and identify possible ways for enhanced cooperation between the EU and Central Asia.
Dr Urban Rusnák, the Energy Charter Secretary General, made his contribution on the main challenges of sustainable development in Central Asia along with the speakers from the government of Tajikistan, EU institutions, UNDP and OSCE. Dr Rusnák stressed the importance of Goal 7 in Central Asia as a cross-cutting priority for the SDG’s implementation. Robust national energy strategies, regulatory reforms and regional cooperation are key to achieve economic growth and stability in the region. The Secretary General also outlined the role of the Energy Charter Secretariat in matching the strategic interest of the EU with the specific need of the countries of Central Asia.
