Kyrgyzstan, Iceland intend to intensify cooperation in all areas

Bishkek, Nov. 2, 2021 / Kabar /. President of Kyrgyzstan Sadyr Zhaparov, on the sidelines of the Summit of world leaders in Glasgow met with Prime Minister of Iceland Katrin Yakobsdottir, the press service of the head of state reported. During the meeting, the head of state warmly greeted the prime minister of Iceland and noted that the Kyrgyz Republic is interested and ready for a regular dialogue with the Icelandic side at all levels. “We know Iceland has significant hydropower potential and is actively using renewable energy sources,” he said. Sadyr Zhaparov expressed readiness to intensify interaction in the field of environmental protection, combating climate change, ecology and combating glacier melting. The head of state proposed to the Icelandic side to strengthen cooperation in a bilateral format and within the framework of multilateral mechanisms, including such as the Green Climate Fund and the Climate Investment Fund, for the implementation of the national investment and climate investment programs. In turn, the prime minister of Iceland stressed that Kyrgyzstan has a huge potential for the development of hydropower and the use of geothermal sources, but not all available opportunities are used in the country. Sadyr Zhaparov added that Kyrgyzstan uses only 15% of its hydropower potential. According to him, about 200 mini hydroelectric power plants and 30 large hydroelectric power plants can be built in the country. “If we build these hydroelectric power plants, then Kyrgyzstan will be able to completely switch to electricity and refuse to use fuel oil or coal. We want to achieve these goals by 2040,” the head of state said. Katrin Jakobsdottir emphasized that Iceland is showing great interest in cooperation with Kyrgyzstan. “Hydroelectric power plants and the possibility of using geothermal sources are one of the possible potential areas where our specialists and experts could provide assistance to Kyrgyzstan, because we have put these industries at a sufficiently high level,” she suggested. Further, the sides discussed issues of cooperation in the field of education and exchange of experience, as well as the implementation of joint projects for the construction of hydroelectric power plants. Sadyr Zhaparov and Katrin Yakobsdottir expressed their readiness to intensify bilateral cooperation in all areas of mutual interest.