A high-level workshop discussing the Green Economy and China's ecological civilization approaches was held Thursday in Beijing, aiming to facilitate a dialogue on the development of a "Green Silk Road" that strengthens the sub-region's transition to an inclusive Green Economy.

Sheng Fulai, Head of Research and Partnerships Unit, Economics and Trade Branch of UNEP. [Photo by Jiao Meng/China.org.cn]

Co-organized by UNEP and China Center for SCO Environmental Cooperation, the two-day meeting attracted dozens of officials and scholars from China, Mongolia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan.

This workshop also marked the conclusion of the six week research programme at Beijing Normal University where participants conducted their own research under Dr. John Shilling and were able to attend seminars and lectures with Chinese experts and explore organizations and field sites relevant to present green economy initiatives.

As such, representatives gave presentations on their respective country's natural resource availabilities, concerns, proposals for initiatives, effects of current initiatives and hopes for partnerships in the future of sustainable development. Environmental protection cases were also shared, among which included China's recent efforts in "ecological civilization", Uzbekistan's construction regulations and natural gas for mass transportation, Kyrgyzstan's glacier and snow leopard protection and hydropower technologies, Tajikistan's freshwater resources and emission reduction, among many others.

Under the facilitation of Mr. Sheng Fulai, Head of Research and Partnerships Unit, Economics and Trade Branch, for UNEP and in line with the goal of working to develop a green Silk Road, representatives also participated in open dialogue, addressing not only critical issues like sharing of clean technology, exchange of policy experiences and knowledge, mobilizing green finance and investment, enhancing capacity and raising awareness, but also the understanding of differences in eco-civilizations, the Green Economy and environmental protection.

Mr. Sheng noted that the workshop should seek to empower "policy coordination, facility connectivity, exchange of policy experience", especially considering "the Belt and the Road" initiatives. He also commented that some of the biggest obstacles facing the green economy include various problems and resource shortages faced by potential partnering countries, difficulties in promoting bilateral and regional environmental cooperation and promoting knowledge sharing, like the collection of case studies, for study and policy making.

Claudia Assmann, Programme Officer at UNEP's Economics and Trade Branch, the home of the Green Economy Initiative said, "With new sources of financing available for development in the region, such as the Silk Road Infrastructure Fund and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), this is a critical time for Central Asian countries and their neighbors to cooperate on the implementation of policies that will enable investments to flow into green sectors of the economy." Experts echoed this thought throughout the workshop and encouraged participates to "not set limits" for themselves or their countries – that by working together, a green economy is possible.

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