Europe & CIS

Kyrgyzstan Goes Green With New Construction Codes

Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, 20 November 2009-The Kyrgyzstan government plans to save more than 200,000 tons of fuel, thanks to new regulations on building construction. The initiative comes at a time when the Central Asian nation faces many potential changes due to global warming. The goal of the programme is to reduce country’s the energy consumption by roughly 45 percent over a three-year period, equal to almost half of one year of coal-mining in the country. Photo Album: Kyrgyzstan's Landscape and Lifestyle Could Change

Albania Now Mine-Free and Ready to Reconstruct Region

Tirana, Albania, 10 November 2009-After a decade of mine clearance work, Albania is now free of all known mined areas just ahead of a 2010 deadline. More than 15.3 million square meters of mines and unexploded ordinance in northeast Albania have been cleared since the late 1990s by several organizations, in a programme coordinated by the Albanian Mine Action Executive. With the removal of the mines and unexploded ordinance, the region—one of the poorest in Albania—can now be more fully developed and reconstructed.

Tackling Rising HIV Levels in Russia, Central Asia

Moscow, Russia, 5 November 2009-Eastern Europe and Central Asia continue to experience rising rates of HIV, particularly in Russian and Ukraine —home to 90 percent of cases. In Central Asia and the Caucauses, the number of newly reported HIV cases is also rising rapidly. Overall, the region experienced a more than 100 percent increase in people living with the virus between 2001 and 2007, with drug abuse a prevelant cause of illness through use of dirty needles.

New Energy for the Future: Solar Panels Online at Bratislava Regional Centre

Bratislava, Slovak Republic, 4 November 2009-Bringing new energy to downtown Bratislava, the United Nations Development Programme has opened a solar energy station at its Bratislava Regional Centre. The solar station is the first in the city's Stare Mesto, or old city, and one of three solar stations in the Slovak capital. It is also one of the first UN buildings globally to install solar panels on its roof. Video: Solar Panels Bring New Energy Photo Album: Solar Panels Installed and Launched

With Temperatures set to Rise in Next 30 Years, Croatia Fights Back Against Climate Change

Zagreb, Croatia, October 2009-Croatian President Stjepan Mesić  has committed to a United Nations campaign to combat climate change as part of Croatia’s celebration of the 64^th anniversary of the UN. The UN-led campaign—known as Seal the Deal—aims to spur public support and political will to reach an agreement at a landmark global climate change conference in Copenhagen in December. At the conference, countries plan to commit to reducing greenhouse gases between 50 and 80 percent, sealing the deal to reduce the effects of temperature rises of more than 2 degrees Celsius.

Video: Energy in Our Homes Photo Album: Sealing the Deal With Conservation Programmes

Women Caught in Net of Exploitation Helped in Belarus

Minsk, Belarus, October 2009-In a secret location in Minsk, women on the run from exploitation will receive help integrating back into society thanks to the support of international organizations, NGOS and the Belarus government. At a recently re-opened shelter in a private flat, the women will receive social services, jobs skills and sanctuary from abduction and trafficking by criminal organizations.

UN Day Celebrated at Slovak Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Bratislava, Slovak Republic, October 2009-Sixty-four years after a Slovak helped establish the United Nations, representatives of the Slovak Republic and the United Nations Development Programme gathered to honor the anniversary of the United Nations Charter on 24 October 1945. The gathering at the Slovak Ministry of Foreign Affairs highlighted the collaborative work between the UNDP and the Slovak government. Video: Message from Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on UN Day Photo Album: UN Day Slovak Republic Ministry of Public Affairs

New Gear to Help Kyrgyzstan Battle Border Problems

Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, October 2009-What was once a Silk Road bringing spices and other goods to Europe and Central Asia has now become a sieve, with a flow of illicit traffic moving between the two regions. In response, Kyrgyzstan is the latest Central Asian nation to partner with the European Union and the United Nations Development Programme to better regulate its borders.

'Include the Excluded,' UNDP Bosnia and Herzegovina Recognized for Excellence

Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, October 2009-A report strongly advocating for inclusion of marginalized groups as a key part Bosnia and Herzegovina’s long-term social policy has been awarded an award for innovation from the United Nations Development Programme. The report, the 2007 Bosnia and Herzegovina National Human Development Report (NHDR) – Social Inclusion in BiH, was recognized for its innovation in measuring human development. The publication was a joint effort of UNDP and national experts from Bosnia and Herzegovina led by the Independent Bureau for Humanitarian Issues and the Team Leader Dr. Žarko Papić.

Georgians Gain Jobs, Loans, One Year After Conflict

Tbilisi, Georgia, October 2009-Hundreds of individuals uprooted by armed conflict in Georgia continue to be helped by joint European Union and United Nations Development Programme projects. A year after conflict between Russia and Georgia, the projects, in cooperation with the Georgian government, help provide job training, financial help and infrastructure improvements. Video: Georgia One Year After Photo Album: Georgia One Year After

Economic Crisis Hits People Living with HIV, Treatment and Health Care Systems Endangered

Kiev, Ukraine, October 2009 - Access to medicine for people living with HIV is one of the latest casualties of the global economic crisis. At a time of shrinking national health budgets, declining grant funding and high prices for medicine, the number of individuals in the region in need of treatment remains large. The issue has both a human and long-term development dimension.

Migration Moves More Than People, New Human Development Report 2009 Shows

Vienna, Austria 5 October –At a time when one in seven people is a migrant, migration should be an integral part of development policy, Jens Wandel, Deputy Regional Director and Bratislava Regional Centre Director of the United Nations Development Programme, said at the launch of the ‘Human Development Report 2009: Overcoming barriers: Human mobility and development.’ The comprehensive report casts new light on global trends in migration, particularly common misperceptions about migration. Video: Human Development Report 2009 ‘Human Development Report 2009: Overcoming barriers: Human mobility and development’ Podcast: Vienna Launch of Human Development Report 2009

Kapuscinski Lectures - 17 November, Slovenia, University of Ljubljana - lecturer: François Bourguignon, Paris School of Economics

The University of Ljubljana will host on 17 November 2009 the lecture of François Bourguignon from the Paris School of Economics. The event is part of the "Kapuscinski Lectures" initiative of the European Commission and the United Nations Development Programme. Experts from around the world will deliver lectures on development and development cooperation at universities in 12 new European Union countries. The series “Kapuscinski Lectures”, and named for Ryszard Kapuscinski, a Polish reporter and writer who covered developing countries.

Kapuscinski Lectures - 6 November, Cyprus Center for European and International Affairs/University of Nicosia - lecturer: Carol Lancaster, Georgetown University

Cyprus Center for European and International Affairs/University of Nicosia will host on 6 November 2009 the lecture of Carol Lancaster from the Georgetown University. The event is part of the "Kapuscinski Lectures" initiative of the European Commission and the United Nations Development Programme. Experts from around the world will deliver lectures on development and development cooperation at universities in 12 new European Union countries. The series “Kapuscinski Lectures”, and named for Ryszard Kapuscinski, a Polish reporter and writer who covered developing countries.

Kapuscinski Lectures - 20 October, Lithuania, University of Vilnius - lecturer: Eveline Herfkens, UN Millennium Campaign

University of Vilnius hosted on 20 October 2009 the lecture of Eveline Herfkens, founder of the UN Millennium Campaign. The event is part of the "Kapuscinski Lectures" initiative of the European Commission and the United Nations Development Programme. Experts from around the world will deliver lectures on development and development cooperation at universities in 12 new European Union countries. The series “Kapuscinski Lectures”, and named for Ryszard Kapuscinski, a Polish reporter and writer who covered developing countries.

Experts Discuss Development in Lectures at Universities of New EU members

Bratislava, Slovak Republic, 5 October 2009-Experts from around the world will deliver lectures on development and development cooperation at universities in 12 new European Union countries beginning Oct. 8 at the University of Tartu in Estonia. The talks are part of the“Kapuscinski Lectures” and are named for Ryszard Kapuscinski, a Polish reporter and writer who covered developing countries. The lectures will be organized jointly by the European Commission, United Nations Development Programme and partner universities.

Human Rights Hotline Records 92 Cases

Chişinău, Moldova, 29 September 2009-Recently, police in Moldova arrested a young man. According to the youth, after interrogation without a lawyer or other advocate present, police then beat him until he was unconscious. The youth said he awoke the next day in the street with a fractured rib. His mother said she sought answers from the police but was instead fined 200 lei “for not keeping any eye on her son.”

Croatia Takes on Global Warming, "Now is the Time" says Croatian President

Zagreb, Croatia, September 2009-Croatia aims to lower its carbon footprint, save more than $1.3 billion and preserve the landscape that brings more than 10 million tourists per year with an ambitious program to cut national energy consumption. The conservation efforts are a part of the Balkan nation's assessment of  how climate change will shape its future. In support of those efforts, the United Nations Development Programme and its partners have also published a report,  “A Climate for Change” - UNDP Croatia 2008 Human Development Report: Climate change and its impacts on society: http://www.undp.hr/show.jsp?page=103395, on the impact of climate change on human development in Croatia.

Eastern Turkey Becomes Tourist Destination

Çoruh Valley, Turkey, September 2009-Turkey’s Eastern Anatolia is a long way from tourism hotspots such as the Aegean and  Mediterranean coasts. Even so, tourists—more than 1,400 in the past two years— are now finding their way to a remote area that has become an eco-tourism gem despite ongoing plans for dam projects in the region. For now, though, the Çoruh region near the city of Erzurum draws power from tourists rather than hydro-electric sources.

Georgia Earthquake Shakes Up Response Strategies

Tbilisi, Georgia, September 2009-A powerful recent earthquake in northern Georgia, though causing no deaths and few injuries, helped provide key information that will help with preparing for future disasters. Two days after the 6.2 Richter scale earthquake, representatives from the Georgian government, United Nations, international organizations and NGOs met to discuss lessons learned during the on-going emergency response. The particpants convened as part of a United Nations Development Programme-facilitated think-tank organized to discuss the earthquake and assess preparedness and emergency responses.