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Kyrgyzstan
>> Regional Overview >> Kyrgyzstan Overview Activity Data Sheet
PROGRAM: Kyrgyzstan
TITLE & NUMBER: Improved Management of Critical Natural Resources Including Energy, 116-0161
STATUS: New
PROPOSED FY 2001 OBLIGATION AND FUNDING SOURCE: $1,000,000 FSA
PROPOSED FY 2002 OBLIGATION AND FUNDING SOURCE: $900,000 FSA
INITIAL OBLIGATION: FY 2001 ESTIMATED COMPLETION DATE: FY 2005Summary: Kyrgyzstan is located at the headwaters of major river systems in Central Asia. Its neighboring countries depend on water resources originating in Kyrgyzstan to meet their agricultural and domestic water supply needs. Furthermore, Kyrgyzstan depends on its water resources for a large portion of its electricity requirements. Consequently it is important that Kyrgyzstan, in cooperation with its neighbors, manage its water resources in the most sustainable manner possible.
The purpose of this objective is to change the way that water and energy resources in Kyrgyzstan are managed, largely through training and technical assistance that will improve the management capacity of natural resources officials; improve policy and regulatory frameworks; and build public commitment. Activities will provide a stronger basis for decision-making through better data collection systems, stronger partnerships with U.S. policy specialists, and better public relations skills. Easily replicated, sustainable demonstration models will complement this training and technical assistance through the introduction of new cost- and resource-efficient technologies and procedures.
Program Categories include support for environmental policy, legislation & regulation; environmental technology transfer and management of natural resources and bio-diversity.
Key Results: Four key results are required to achieve this objective: 1) increased management capacity in natural resources; 2) improved policy and regulatory framework for natural resources management; 3) sustainable models developed for integrated natural resources management; and 4) public commitment established for natural resources management policies.
Performance and Prospects: The Government of Kyrgyzstan has shown reluctance in carrying through with the energy sector privatization plans required by the World Bank. This has greatly hampered the prospects for results in the energy sector. In response, USAID is beginning to shift its energy focus to address energy efficiency issues and to support non-government organization (NGO) efforts toward more transparent pricing policies - activities that will support the long-term goal of privatization of the sector. Despite this setback, there have been other key events over the course of the year that contribute to improved management of natural resources.
One qualified success during FY 2000 is the government's adoption of an action plan for the privatization of Kyrgyz Energo, the state energy monopoly. This plan was developed as a result of USAID-sponsored training offered to energy officials in market-based rules and regulations, tariffs methodologies and the role of utility regulatory agencies. The government also agreed to USAID recommendations on Electricity Market Rules, which laid the legal framework for operations once privatization takes place.
In a related event in FY 2000, USAID advisors helped the company Kyrgyz Energo hold Kyrgyzstan's first ever energy utility public hearing to review an application for new utility tariffs and to receive public input on the proposed changes. This hearing was an important first step toward greater citizen participation in the decision-making process regarding measures to reduce corrupt practices, and systems that will openly fix market-based energy tariffs. It is also an example of strengthening democratic institutions through increasing citizen participation in key economic areas.
Resource managers of the Syr Darya River, one of the two major feeders to the Aral Sea, are using a planning tool that USAID developed to make decisions on the allocation and distribution of water and energy in the region. Local water resources economists and engineers are using our recommendations to better facilitate transboundary water discussions between Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan.
Building on past successes in developing policy and regulatory frameworks in transboundary water and energy resources management, further training is planned that will provide natural resources officials with a stronger basis for decision-making through better data collection systems, stronger partnerships with U.S. policy specialists, and better public relations skills.
To complement and reinforce this training, USAID is demonstrating the viability of the management concepts and new technologies in selected problem areas. The U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is developing a demonstration model that will help regional officials better plan for water allocation using new technologies and procedures for snowmelt forecasting and regional data sharing. Another demonstration model introduces new technologies that upgrade the control mechanisms of the irrigation system already in place in the Ferghana Valley. USAID is also working with Israel's Center for Cooperation (MASHAV) on a bio-drainage demonstration model there that presents the idea of planting carefully selected species of trees in targeted areas to help mitigate the rising water table. As part of our new focus on efficiency and transparency in the energy sector, USAID is designing other small-scale demonstration models that demonstrate more cost-effective, efficient, and self-sufficient alternatives to state utilities.
An issue that could affect performance over the coming year is a continuing drought that may raise tensions in Central Asia over fewer shared water resources and thus hinder regional activities. This is particularly true for Kyrgyzstan, which is very dependent on hydropower, and with whom relationships are already strained in this regard. USAID is helping the Central Asian Economic Community (CAEC) to build on the strengths of existing regional water and energy organizations to reach consensus on transboundary resource issues.
In FY 2001, USAID intends to obligate, for technical assistance, model development and training activities the following amounts per category: Environmental Policy, Legislation and Regulation, $300,000; Environmental Technology Transfer, $400,000 and Management of Natural Resources and Bio-diversity, $300,000.
In FY 2002, USAID will continue to provide natural resources officials with training to improve resource management. To complement and reinforce this training, models will be developed and tested to demonstrate the viability of new management concepts and technologies. Training will be continues in the use and maintenance of new technologies and procedures for snowmelt forecasting and regional data sharing, which will help regional officials to improve their planning for water allocation. USAID will also continue to help the CAEC reach consensus among regional water and energy organizations on transboundary agreements.
Beneficiaries: The direct beneficiaries of these activities are the officials and technicians responsible for managing the natural resources in Kyrgyzstan. Ultimately, the citizens of Kyrgyzstan will benefit from a better-managed resource base.
Possible Adjustments to Plans: Although most of the activities under this objective are new, some internal assessments of ongoing activities may call for changes. This is especially true in the area of drafting regional agreements on water and energy, which have historically been difficult to achieve despite USAID and other donor assistance. One key assessment underway in Kyrgyzstan looks into the commitment of the new leaders in energy administration the state-owned power system to the privatization effort.
Other Donor Programs: Canada's International Development Agency is providing training to water resources officials and managers, and the Swiss Government is part of our work with NOAA in the acquisition of hydrological data. This data is also being shared with the United Nation Development Program (UNDP) and the World Bank. World Bank also has a privatization program tied to energy loans.
Principal Contractors, Grantees, or Agencies: PA Consulting (formerly Hagler-Bailly) is the prime contractor for the Natural Resources Management Program; The National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is working with modeling systems that will help with snowmelt forecasting and data sharing; Israel's Center for Cooperation (MASHAV) will carry out efforts in the Ferghana Valley to mitigate water-logging problems; and International Resources Group works with transboundary water issues.
FY 2002 Performance Table
Selected Performance Measures: Improved Management of Critical Natural Resources Including Energy, 116-0161
Indicator FY97 (Actual) FY98 (Actual) FY99 (Actual) FY00 (Actual) FY01 (Plan) FY02 (Plan) Indicator 1: Number of demonstration models replicated in the Central Asian Region N/A N/A N/A 0 0 0 Indicator 2: Number of new data collection systems in use as a result of USAID/CAR activities N/A N/A N/A 0 2 4 Indicator 3: Number of demonstration models or projects completed in cooperation with other parties. N/A N/A N/A 0 0 1 Indicator 4: Number of activities in which people or NGOs participate in targeted USAID/CAR natural resource management issues N/A N/A N/A 0 2 3 Indicator Information:
Indicator Level (S)or(IR) Unit of Measure Source Indicator Description Indicator 1: S Cumulative Number Tracking by USAID and contractor staff Counts USAID/CAR demonstration model projects that are copied and implemented in Kyrgyzstan with the assistance of local partners. Indicator 2: IR Cumulative Number Tracking by USAID and contractor staff Counts the number of times that an entity uses or installs USAID/CAR-recommended or USAID-sponsored new technology to capture information related to the management of natural resources Indicator 3: IR Cumulative Number Tracking by USAID and contractor staff Counts USAID/CAR pilot demonstration projects in water and energy that are successfully designed and built (or a similar variant) in a targeted area with the cooperation of local partners associated with the replicated projects, including, but not limited to, other donors, counterparts, or private sources Indicator 4: IR Cumulative Number Tracking by USAID and contractor staff Counts actions taken or documents written by a person or NGO that promote policy positions that are being demonstrated or advocated by USAID under SO 1.6. U.S. Financing
(In thousands of dollars)
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Last Updated on: May 29, 2002 |
