DUSHANBE, August 21, 2009, Asia-Plus  -- Organized on the initiative of the Tajik Government under support of the OSCE Office in Tajikistan, an August 21 roundtable discussion on energy conservation brought together more than 70 government officials and representatives of civil society, international organizations and the media.

Tajikistan committed to promote energy saving measures with a 2002 law and a presidential decree, "On Additional Actions for Energy Efficiency and Energy Conservation", issued on April 24 this year.  The discussion was aimed at supporting the Tajik Government in implementing these policy documents.

The meeting participants discussed issues related to mobilizing ministries and other government agencies, international organizations, the private sector and civil society to work harder on promoting energy efficiency.

Speaking at the meeting, Ambassador Vladimir Pryakhin, the Head of OSCE Office in Tajikistan noted that the OSCE Office in Tajikistan is developing its own environmental policy, which among other goals aims to promote more efficient energy use, according to press release issued by the OSCE Office in Tajikistan.

Ms. Mavjouda Keldiyorova, the Head of the State Energy Control Agency, said: "Tajikistan is moving ahead in terms of energy development, and recognizes that hydropower is important for poverty reduction, and that energy conservation and energy efficiency are important for sustainable economic development.”  Energy conservation has been included in the state policy of Tajikistan as a priority issue, she noted.

The results of the discussion will be brought to the attention of the relevant decision makers.