On January 26, a meeting took place in Bishkek between the Minister of Energy Talaybek Ibraev and Najy Benhassin, the Regional Director of the World Bank for Central Asia.
During the meeting, both the current state and future prospects of joint energy projects were discussed.
One of the central issues was the construction of the Kambarata HPP-1, which is considered strategic for ensuring energy security and developing the national energy sector of Kyrgyzstan. The World Bank expressed its readiness to continue financing this project.
In the process of project implementation, special attention will be paid to compliance with international standards in sustainable development, as well as environmental and social issues.
Also, as part of the meeting, the project "Regional Integration and Electricity Trade Program in Central Asia (REMIT)" was reviewed. The main goal of this project is to improve the electrical networks in the Jalal-Abad region, develop electricity trade in the region, and enhance the reliability of energy infrastructure in Central Asia.
At the end of the meeting, the parties confirmed their readiness for open and constructive cooperation aimed at the sustainable development of the energy sector, the implementation of large infrastructure projects, and strengthening regional energy interaction.
The bilateral meeting was attended not only by Minister of Energy T. Ibraev but also by representatives of energy companies, as well as Najy Benhassin — the Regional Director of the World Bank for Central Asia, Hugh Riddell — head of the World Bank office in Kyrgyzstan, Stephanie Gil-Praktikis — energy and mining sector manager in the Europe and Central Asia region, and other representatives of the World Bank.
