SWITCH-Asia

Dushanbe, Tajikistan, 18 November 2021 – The European Union has launched the SWITCH-Asia Programme in 2007 to promote Sustainable Consumption and Production (SCP) and support the transition towards a low-carbon, resource-efficient and circular economy in Asia. The programme has been extended to Central Asia in 2019 and two SWITCH-Asia Components are currently active in four Central Asian countries – the Grants Programme and Technical Assistance (policy support) provided to Governments through the SWITCH-Asia Sustainable Consumption and Production Facility (SCP Facility).  

On Friday, 19th November 2021, two awareness raising workshops will be organised and delivered in Tajikistan at 9:00-16:00 (Dushanbe Time). These meetings are organised by EU SWITCH-Asia SCP Facility, with support from the EU Delegation, and in partnership with the Food Technology Department of the Technological University in Dushanbe. Around 20 participants, including a selected group of schools and retailers are expected to attend this event.

The Workshops are part of a series of activities that will contribute to the development of a National Action Plan (NAP) on Responsible Consumption and Sustainable Lifestyles, with a focus on the agri-food sector, effectively supporting the country’s transition towards a green and circular economy.

EU SWITCH-Asia SCP Facility experts will also develop Consumer Information Tools designed to guide consumers to make more informed and responsible choices about good and services (products), including in their use and end of life cycle. Tools can include ecolabels and certifications, voluntary standards, product declarations, communications, advertising, marketing, and awareness-raising campaigns, among other ways of communicating with consumers on environmental and social issues connected to products.

The importance of providing reliable information is not only recognised in target 12.8 of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG12 – Responsible Consumption and Production) which the Republic of Tajikistan is committed to achieve; but, is also aligned to the National Development Strategy of the Republic of Tajikistan for the period up to 2030, one that has set as its main objective the improvement of the living standards of the population, ensuring food security and people’s access to good quality nutrition, among others. A focus on Greener  Production in agri-food systems, as well as spearheading effective educational and awareness raising initiatives on responsible consumption and sustainable lifestyles among consumers, farmers and retailers are a prerequisite for the transition towards a green and circular economy, as well as meeting the goals set in the country’s National Development Strategy. 

The switch to sustainable consumption and production requires political, economic, institutional, behavioural and technological shifts. These are made possible through a combined application of sustainable consumption and production principles, approaches and strategies. Over the next year, the Republic of Tajikistan will be benefitting from the support of experts from the EU SWITCH-Asia SCP Facility and from a grant scheme that has been set up to support four pilot projects testing new approaches on SCP in the country.   

More information: 

Zulfira Zikrina, 

Central Asia Expert

SWITCH-Asia SCP Facility 

E: [email protected]