Resident Coordinator of the UN and the Finnish Ambassador visited UN project sites in southern Kyrgyzstan
Bishkek, May 10 / Kabar /. “It was a great opportunity to get to know some very friendly and welcoming people who work in these communities and projects we had the chance to visit”, stated Mikko Kinnunen, the Finnish Ambassador to Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan on a joined visit with Alexander Avanessov, the Resident Coordinator of the United Nations in Kyrgyzstan. Mr. Avanessov and Mr. Kinnunen visited UNDP, WFP and UNICEF projects in and around Jalal-Abad on Sunday, 6th of May, as well as met with some members of the Oblast Advisory Committee to hear about their work.
Among the places visited was a site damaged during the events in 2010, where UNDP provided small grants to regenerate businesses that are now working again. Another site visited was a Green Project on the outskirts of the city, where fruit and nut trees have been planted to strengthen the hillside against landslides. “I am very pleased to see the members of the communities participating in the projects so enthusiastically”, Mr. Avanessov said, “it is an inspiration to us all”.
Community’s involvement was furthermore visible in a canal project organized by the WFP, in which local people were mobilized through the “Food for Work”-principle. UNICEF-supported Jalal-Abad Youth Centre also displayed a great example of how communities and individuals can make a difference: the centre is now run by young, enthusiastic volunteers, who devote their time to developing better future prospects for young people by organizing workshops, courses and open discussions on various and timely themes.
“Finland supports many UN projects and is very invested in the development of Central Asia”, Ambassador Kinnunen said. The UN Resident Coordinator Avanessov expressed his gratitude to the Finnish Ambassador, and furthermore emphasised the importance of cooperation to ensure peace and stability, sustainable development, protection and promotion of human rights in the country. Both parties are devoted to continuing and further increasing the cooperation between the Finnish Government and the UN system in Kyrgyzstan.
Among the places visited was a site damaged during the events in 2010, where UNDP provided small grants to regenerate businesses that are now working again. Another site visited was a Green Project on the outskirts of the city, where fruit and nut trees have been planted to strengthen the hillside against landslides. “I am very pleased to see the members of the communities participating in the projects so enthusiastically”, Mr. Avanessov said, “it is an inspiration to us all”.
Community’s involvement was furthermore visible in a canal project organized by the WFP, in which local people were mobilized through the “Food for Work”-principle. UNICEF-supported Jalal-Abad Youth Centre also displayed a great example of how communities and individuals can make a difference: the centre is now run by young, enthusiastic volunteers, who devote their time to developing better future prospects for young people by organizing workshops, courses and open discussions on various and timely themes.
“Finland supports many UN projects and is very invested in the development of Central Asia”, Ambassador Kinnunen said. The UN Resident Coordinator Avanessov expressed his gratitude to the Finnish Ambassador, and furthermore emphasised the importance of cooperation to ensure peace and stability, sustainable development, protection and promotion of human rights in the country. Both parties are devoted to continuing and further increasing the cooperation between the Finnish Government and the UN system in Kyrgyzstan.
