Promoting sustainable development in Central Asia

Brussels - The European Commission has awarded a consortium led by Stantec the contract for a project to promote sustainable development and circular economy in Central Asia by strengthening environment and water policies and promoting green investments.

Focusing on the countries of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan, the goal of the EU-Central Asia Environment, Climate Change and Water Cooperation (WECOOP) is to enhance environment, climate change and water policies at national level and approximate them to EU standards, and to promote informed green investments in several sectors across the region, taking environment and climate change concerns into consideration.

As part of this project, Stantec will facilitate a structured policy dialogue between the EU and the countries on all relevant aspects of environmental, climate change and water related regulation, support the development of capacities of regional and national stakeholders through training and policy advice, as well as provide expert advice on design and preparation of bankable investment projects, while managing the coordination with other international funding organizations that are active in the region.

Christophe Leroy, Operations Director for Stantec in Belgium: “We are proud to be able to continue the great work of the WECOOP programme, implemented already by Stantec, which over the past three years has offered guidance and expert advice to government regulators and administrators in the region. The growing population and a changing climate are leading to challenges for the region in water demand, both from an infrastructure and a resource perspective. With this programme we can play an important role in the countries working together to face these challenges. It reinforces Stantec as market leader in the field of climate change and sustainable development with the EU external aid programmes.”