Energy resources are not evenly distributed in Central Asia, making some of the countries especially vulnerable. Energy efficiency is recognized by many national energy experts as an important way to improve the energy security situation in the region, to improve the quality of life and to ensure more stable economic development. This is especially true when considering the high potential for energy efficiency improvement in Central Asia.

However, due to weak government policies and institutions related to energy efficiency in many Central Asian countries, the potential has not been fully realized. In this regard, ESCAP is working to build up the capacity of the national governments to establish such enabling environment to support energy efficiency initiatives and to ultimately attract investment in this area.

At the same time, the interdependence of the countries in the region for energy and water resources, as well as the common background of the countries, set the context for them to develop the SPECA regional concept on energy efficiency.

Against this background, ESCAP in collaboration with ECE, organized a Workshop on energy efficiency in SPECA countries, which was focused on the opportunities for implementing energy efficiency initiatives in Central Asian countries and cooperating at the subregional level in developing energy efficiency policies. Issues discussed during the meeting include the activities of various countries in supporting energy efficiency in buildings, the replication in Central Asia of the ECE’s successful experience with the project “Energy Efficiency 21” and the issues related to the development of the SPECA regional concept on energy efficiency.

The meeting took place on 2-5 November 2009, back to back with the Project Working Group on water and energy resources, which was held on 5 November 2009. Participants of the workshop included representatives from Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.

The outcomes of the workshop provided valuable foundation to move forward with the further development of the subregional concept on energy efficiency and to consider options for supporting SPECA region institutions on energy efficiency. The report from the workshop and presentations are available in English and Russian below: