On 17 April 2026, the Osh City Hall and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) held an event marking the launch of the development of the first Green City Action Plan (GCAP) for the city of Osh, a strategic roadmap for a greener, more sustainable and safer future of Kyrgyzstan’s second-largest city.
The city of Osh is joining the EBRD Green Cities programme, a flagship initiative designed to support cities across EBRD regions in addressing environmental and climate challenges through targeted investments and policy measures. The GCAP will provide Osh with a data-driven framework to identify priority environmental issues and translate them into a concrete, time-bound portfolio of investments and actions.
UNISON Group participates in the development of the GCAP as a national partner, contributing to the analysis of the current environmental situation, the development of solutions, and engagement with key stakeholders.
Like many rapidly growing cities in Central Asia, Osh faces significant challenges in areas such as water supply and sanitation, waste management, urban air quality, and resilience to climate hazards, including floods, mudflows and extreme heat. The GCAP development process, financed by the Government of the Republic of Korea, will provide the city with a structured and ambitious framework to address these priorities.
“Osh is committed to becoming a healthier, safer and more sustainable city for its residents. The GCAP will provide us with the tools to plan and prioritise green investments with the level of ambition our citizens deserve,” said the Mayor of Osh, Zhanar Akaev.
The Green City Action Plan will be developed over approximately 12 months in close cooperation with municipal departments, government authorities, the private sector and civil society. It will cover key sectors including water and wastewater management, solid waste, sustainable energy, urban transport, air quality, as well as climate resilience and adaptation. The plan will be fully aligned with Kyrgyzstan’s national climate commitments, including the Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) and Resolution No. 397 on carbon neutrality (July 2025).
“EBRD is pleased to support the city of Osh in developing its Green City Action Plan, which marks an important milestone. We stand ready to support the implementation of this vision by combining strategic planning with green investments. Osh is joining a network of more than 50 cities under the EBRD programme that are committed to delivering sustainable environmental and social outcomes for their residents,” said Dr Benedict Kruger, EBRD.
The event marks the official start of a joint process that will shape Osh’s green future. Residents, businesses, civil society organisations and academic institutions will be actively engaged throughout the process, contributing local knowledge and benefiting from a more sustainable urban environment.
For reference:
What is a Green City Action Plan (GCAP)?
A Green City Action Plan (GCAP) is a strategic document owned by the city and developed under the EBRD Green Cities programme. It identifies priority environmental and climate challenges through a comprehensive baseline assessment, sets a long-term vision for green urban development, and defines a portfolio of targeted investments and policy measures to address these challenges over a five-year period. The GCAP process is based on principles of inclusiveness, transparency and stakeholder engagement.
EBRD Green Cities Programme
The EBRD Green Cities programme is a flagship initiative of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development aimed at supporting cities in addressing urban environmental and climate challenges. Operating across all EBRD regions, the programme combines strategic planning support with access to financing for green investments.
More information:
www.ebrdgreencities.com
