ECO Expert Meeting on Environmental Impact Assessment

ECO Secretariat, Tehran, October 04, 2005

Press Release

An ECO Expert Meeting on Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) was convened on 20-21 September 2005 in Ankara and hosted by the Ministry of Environment and Forestry of Turkey.

Participants from Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Iran, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan and Turkey as well as the ECO Secretariat staff attended it.

The meeting was inaugurated by Mr. Ozman Tuzun, Director General of EIA and Planning of the Ministry of Environment and Forestry of Turkey, who welcomed the participants and stressed the importance of environmental impact assessment for protecting the environment and achieving sustainable development. An opening statement on behalf of the ECO Secretariat was made by Dr. Sh. Aleskerov, Director for Energy, Minerals and Environment.

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The participants from the member states delivered their country presentations covering the state of application of EIA and their respective experience. A number of presentations were also made under other agenda items dealing with institutional building, legislation, improvement of EIA, quality assurance and capacity building.

On the basis of the presentations and discussions, the meeting adopted its report,  reflecting, inter allia, the highlights of the country presentations,  and the discussions held as well as a number of  recommendations made on possible steps of furthering the cooperation on EIA such as establishment of a data base on the legal aspects of EIA, exchange of experience, achievements and experts, providing training  and seeking assistance of international organizations and financial institutions in this respect, etc.

At the closure of the meeting, the participants highly appreciated the host authorities for hosting the event and providing excellent arrangements for the meeting.

A technical visit to Cayirhan Thermal Power Plant was organized for the participants.

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