Each of the countries of Central Asia, since their independence following the disintegration of the USSR in 1991, has been making the transition to a market economy; as a consequence, however, they are all facing growing disparities between urban and rural areas.  Specifically, in rural areas where there are neither major industries nor energy or mineral resources, the market economy has caused existing agriculture and other industries to decline, resulting in an increased unemployment rate and ever-high poverty incidence.  Furthermore, the collapse of the social security system, a safety net in the Soviet years, has directly affected the poor.  From the perspective of human security as well, it has been a significant challenge for Central Asian nations to employ measures to protect and empower the poor and, in the long term, to correct prevailing disparities and promote balanced regional development across the nation.

Against this background, UNCRD, in collaboration with JICA, launched a three-year series of training courses on “Endogenous Regional Economic Development Utilizing Local Resources for Central Asia” starting from fiscal 2007.  These courses have the objective of disseminating information on the necessity for endogenous regional development (EnRD) and training officials so that they would be capable of planning and implementing programmes/projects to boost the local economy by utilizing characteristics and resources unique to each locality.

Through the training, participants: (a) analysed the current situation and problems in their country/province/municipality with full understanding of the importance of EnRD; (b) acquired the ability to identify and utilize available resources depending on the local situation as well as knowledge and skills to promote EnRD; (c) examined the applicability of cases of Japan and other developing countries to their country/province/municipality; and lastly; (d) formulated individual action plans based on training inputs.  The curriculum was structured around the two themes of “Outline of Regional Development” and “EnRD”.  The “Outline of Regional Development” included lecture sessions on regional development in Japan; the administrative and fiscal system of Japan; and regional plan of Aichi Prefecture, while “EnRD” covered the topics including characteristics of local resources and their utilization; strategies for marketing local specialty products; and an agricultural extension service project.  As for case studies, participants visited and observed the revitalization efforts of Meiho, Gifu Pref. by means of setting up public-private companies including Michinoeki (Road Station), the regional industry promotion of Hida, Gifu Pref. which is trying to promote the local and traditional industries of furniture and woodwork in collaboration with manufacturers and local government authorities, the unique approach of Asuke, Aichi Pref. combining its welfare and tourism promotion measures, the challenge faced by the antenna shops of “Hokkaido Dosanko Plaza,” “Oribe Style,” and “Zarai-Oita,” in marketing local foodstuffs in Tokyo; and farmers' attempts to diversify into other forms of agricultural businesses such as direct sales of agricultural products, vegetable harvesting, and fruit-picking at Joyful Farm Unoike, Aichi Pref.

As a major output of the course, a participants formulated very interesting and feasible action plans such as “Scenic Vacation Village Development in Tamudiklu Valley”, “Development of the Apiculture Industry in Romid Valley,” and “Endogenous Regional Development Plan for Local Governments in Talas Province”. Participants are expected to disseminate what they learned from the course by sharing their knowledge and experience in the respective programme/projects to promote EnRD that are conducted in collaboration with central/local governments, private firms, NGOs, and local residents.  This will ultimately contribute to the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals, in particular, the first goal, that is, to “eradicate extreme poverty and hunger” and the realization of sustainable regional development in Central Asia.  The third course will be held in fiscal 2009.