On December 28, 2005 the workshop on climate change public awareness rising among representatives of mass media, non-governmental organizations and other people concerned, took place in the conference-hall of the Agency on hydrometeorology of the State Committee for environmental protection and forestry of the Republic of Tajikistan (Dushanbe, TAJIKISTAN). The workshop was considered for representatives of national mass media, ecological and educational non-governmental organizations and other people concerned whose activity implementation would enable to educate and raise climate change awareness level both among policy makers and public.

B. Mahmadaliev, National Focal Point of the UNFCCC, noted that “rising public awareness on climate change and its adverse consequences through mass media, including press, radio and television, and educating the young through close cooperation with non-governmental organizations, we can contribute into measures undertaken against greenhouse gases anthropogenic emissions and adapt to climate change”.

It was outlined that “climate change is observing global problem with threatening tendencies impacting greatly both on environment and humans overall the world, and Tajikistan, the small country with the Earth’s climatic zones variety, to a greater extent. Therefore, public due notice of expected events will encourage them for acting”. Reporters informed the participants about measures implemented and planned within the project original, results and outcomes achieved in previous work activity. Much attention was paid to the public health in terms of climate change and rise of various heat-resisting diseases, including malaria, cholera, etc. As the project scientific consultant noticed, “climate warming may cause malaria epidemic even in high-mountainous regions of the Republic”.

B. Khakimov, the Head of the Automated Communication Centre of the Agency on hydrometeorology presented the information site developed within the project original. He stressed on the importance of the portal set-up that “assists in providing public awareness on climate change issues and reviewing programmes implemented and planned in short-term outlook”.

At the end of the meeting participants involved discussed a series of proposed programmes with their direct participation. Representatives of mass media and non-governmental organizations expressed interest in support of measures aiming on climate change public awareness rising and suggested their ideas upon their realization. Hence, main objectives of the workshop, including -

• providing information about climate change problem and its adverse consequences on national economy, natural resources and public health; about measures (implemented and planned) directed on climate warming hazard reduction;
• identification of programmes realization areas that will result climate change public awareness rising at national level;
• enhancement of communication and information cooperation with representatives of mass media and non-governmental organizations – have been achieved.