The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the German Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) opened in Bishkek on 29 May a regional meeting aimed at exploring better ways of delivering development assistance to the five countries of Central Asia.

The two-day meeting brings together representatives of Central Asian governments, civil society organizations and United Nations agencies as well as donor officials. The purpose is to strengthen partnerships between governments of the region, civil society, donors and international community to ensure that development activities are more effective.

"We plan to make progress on understanding how synergies among donors and development organizations can be reinforced," said Kori Udovicki, UN Assistant Secretary-General and UNDP Assistant Administrator. "We would also like to identify gaps in donors’ assistance and see how they can be addressed."

In 2006, UNDP managed more than US$ 43 million in programmes in the region. Together with the German Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development and other international agencies, UNDP plans to intensify its work in areas most vital for the countries in Central Asia, including governance, poverty reduction, social sector reform, development of the private sector and regional networks and cross-border cooperation.

"At UNDP, all our activities are aimed at one result: bringing real improvement to peoples’ lives through opening more and more choices for them," said Udovicki. "Our approach to human development is practical – through empowerment of the people."

Germany is the biggest donor within the EU for Central Asia and the only country with full representations in all five Central Asian States. Germany has also selected Central Asia as a regional priority for its six months EU-Presidency. "We hope to achieve a common understanding as to the concrete further steps in development implementation within the four areas of poverty reduction, social cohesion, governance and economic growth", Klemens van de Sand, Commissioner for Asia and South Eastern Europe at the BMZ, said in his opening statement. "Together", he added, "we can make Central Asia a region of stability, economic growth and liberal development of their citizens."