Towards the 6^th World Water Forum — Cooperative Actions for Water Security

Jacques Barrat, a professor of Pantheon-Assas Paris II University, political scientist (France):

“This conference is important because it gives an opportunity to comprehensively dSICuss very important issues to combat water scarcity in the world. The next World Water Forum will be held in 2012 in the French city of Marseille, which imposes on us an even greater responsibility.

Today Central Asia, including Uzbekistan, face problems with water. The reason for their occurrence in the region was the irrational use of water resources in the recent past. In the welcoming speech of the President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov to the participants of the forum, a special attention was paid to problems that arise because of environmental and water waste, which led to the drying of the Aral Sea.

I would like to point out that the proposed construction of new hydro giant poses a serious threat not only to Uzbekistan but also other countries in the region. In particular, it is alarming that the Rogun hydro power is envisaged in the zone of high seismicity. In this case, the economies of all countries in the region will suffer enormous damage; thousands of lives will be put in danger. If we consider these threats, Rogun is like a suicide. Therefore, this issue must be objectively, carefully and thoroughly dSICussed at the international level.”

Danka Talmeynerova, a representative of the international organization Global Water Partnership (Sweden):

“In Uzbekistan, a tremendous amount of work to ensure water security is increasing each year. This is clearly recognized by the international community. We must pay tribute to Uzbekistan, which has rich experience in rational and efficient use of water resources.

However, today there are various water issues in the region. In particular, problems associated with the Aral Sea crisis, shortage of drinking water in the Aral Sea area and air pollution still await their solution. It is distressing that the once-bustling Aral Sea basin, with its large port and surrounding area are now turned into a desert.”

Bart Fokkens, President of the European Center for River Restoration (Netherlands):

“As a result of waste of natural resources, including water in recent years worldwide, a number of environmental problems had occurred. Water is an essential factor in the industry and agriculture. The Aral Sea has become a symbol of the global environmental crisis not only in Central Asia. Because of this, and there is a lot of social problems.

I hope that this conference will be important to address such pressing issues as lack of potable water in the Aral Sea and the decline of its quality, pollution, and others.”

Nino Chkhobadze, a regional member of the international organization Global Water Partnership, Co-Chairwoman of Friends of the Earth green movement (Georgia):

“The problem of the Aral Sea for many years had worried the entire world community. I participated in many international conferences on this topic. If the Aral problem is not solved, then its consequences will be affected not only the population of this region and other countries.

International conference in Tashkent is extremely important for the future of the region. Solving the problems in transboundary waters primarily depends on the rational use of water.

I am an ecologist, which is why, in my opinion, the construction of large hydroelectric power station, regardless of its location, is a problem. The construction of such structure will lead to consequences for the ecology and the environment. Before the construction of such large hydro as Rogun, the projects must undergo an independent international expert to be thoroughly tested.”

Nadejda Prokhorova, director of the Research Institute for the protection and comprehensive use of water resources (Russia):

“Uzbekistan has made huge efforts to reduce the negative impact of the Aral Sea tragedy, further improve the living conditions of the population and solve the region’s water problems.

In some regions of Russia lack of water is still an unsolved urgent problem. Our Institute is engaged in the emerging water management problems, issues of water resources management and training of qualified environmental specialists.

Without water there is no life – it is an indisputable truth. Water resources are limited. Therefore, the actions of Uzbekistan for attracting world attention to the positive solution of this issue are very correct and timely.”

Joelle Rizk, Coordinator of East-West Institute (Belgium):

“Water resources are important factor in economic development for all countries. Tashkent forum is of great importance in the dSICussion and search for optimal solutions to problems, such as water security, water management, the impact of the Aral Sea environmental crisis in the gene pool of the nation’s flora and fauna and watercourse regulation of the Amudarya and Syrdarya.”

Sagit Ibatullin, chairman of the executive committee of the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea (Kazakhstan):

“The management and efficient use of water resources is of particular relevance today. Tashkent international conference provides a good opportunity to dSICuss such issues.

Large-scale reforms at the initiative of President Islam Karimov are carried out in your country to protect the environment, improve the ecosystem, particularly water resources and solve existing problems in the area.”

Laurent Guye, Regional Director, Swiss Cooperation Office:

“Tashkent-forum is an opportunity to dSICuss such issues as water management, conservation of the hydrological balance at the regional and global level, the modernization of agricultural infrastructure as well as the further strengthening the international cooperation in this regard.

Complex socio-economic, environmental and demographic problems that could dire consequences not only in the Aral Sea, but also globally, should immediately be solved. The solution of such serious issues that are vital to many millions of people in Central Asia, requires a concerted and effective action by the world community.

Our relations with Uzbekistan are gradually developing. For example, now together with your country, we are working on projects on water supply issues.”

Kathy Unger-Shayesteh, the project coordinator of CAW Research Center for Geosciences (Germany):

“Our center cooperates with Uzbekistan in the framework of the project “Water in Central Asia.” To address environmental issues, particularly related to transboundary rivers, an open dialogue is required. Today’s international conference in Uzbekistan is a good example of this approach.

In order to solve the Aral Sea crisis and for sustainable development and improved well-being of residents in the zone of ecological disaster, joint efforts and active cooperation of Central Asian countries and representatives of international organizations are needed.”

Bo Libert, Regional Adviser of United Nations Economic Commission for Europe:

“Our organization works closely with the countries of Central Asia, in particular, with Uzbekistan. In this region, the water problem is urgent, therefore, holding this international forum has been very helpful. The conference addressed the most pressing issues related to water security, management of water resources.

Water is the source of life. Deeply aware of this, Uzbekistan pays attention to the development of water management. It is well known to the international community.

Insiccation of Aral Sea is an incredible environmental disaster. This causes a range of socio-economic problems. Measures taken by Uzbekistan are improving the situation. But to solve the problem, all countries should take joint action in this direction. After all, if the Aral problem is not resolved, the consequences will hit not only the population of that territory, but countries around the world.”

Tahir Shamshad, Deputy Mayor of Islamabad (Pakistan):

“Currently, the relevance of the water problem is understood by all countries. This, of course, requires regional cooperation. The countries in the region should work together to address the issues of rational use of water, its protection, eliminating the causes of drying up of once unique beauty of the Aral Sea. With involvement of modern technologies, the scale of water problem has dropped considerably.

Huge negative impact of the Aral Sea tragedy on the ecosystem of the whole region is obvious. To stabilize the environmental situation in the region the international attention should be involved to this matter.”

Janusz Kindler, a professor of water resources and ecosystems of Warsaw Technical University (Poland):

“For many years I have been working in Uzbekistan and I am well informed about water issues in the region. I am aware of what kind of work is being done by the government of Uzbekistan to improve the living conditions in Aral Sea area. However, full stabilization of the complicated situation, and solution of serious problems do not depend only on Uzbekistan.

The conference dSICussed the issues of enhancing cooperation through the sharing of water resources management in Central Asia, climate change in the Aral Sea region, the negative impact of large industrial plants on the environment and other pressing environmental issues.”

Oksana Boyarkina, representative of the Institute of Water Problems of Russian Academy of Science:

“When using the transboundary rivers, one should strictly observe the international legal instruments. Some governments in the region and international organizations need to integrate actions to address transboundary environmental problems and reduce environmental threats.

Conducting this conference in Tashkent is important. Here we got a lot of new and useful information to address the problems associated with the use of transboundary rivers. Everyone knows that the president of Uzbekistan put forward new initiatives to address these issues and large-scale studies have been done already. From this perspective, the welcome note by President Islam Karimov to the participants of the conference further raised the status of the forum.”

Source: UzA

Henk van Schaik, Co-operative Programme on Water and Climate (The Netherlands)

Thank you very much for the opportunity you have given to me to attend the International WATER conference for Central Asia. It was indeed a very informative conference thanks to the many high quality speakers on so many different topics. It gave me - for the first time - a chance to learn from many first hands about the challenges in the Aral Sea basin. And, not only WATER challenges.

The main impression I have taken home is that the WATER challenges in the Aral Sea basin resp. Central Asia are enormous, not so much because of shortage of water but rather because of complex and different stakes and sometimes also conflicting stakes between riparian states and interest groups. The complexities are made more complex where information is scant, not easily shared and not always freely accessible public domain. It is my sincere hope that the conference has contributed to resp,. will initiate building cooperation between the riparian states and research groups in the interest of optimization of the potential water related benefits for the nations and peoples living in the Aral Sea basin. I must admit that, recalling the dSICussions in the last sessions, this continues to be a hope.

The programme. The different topics in the programme were very well designed. The speakers represented many Uzbekistan, neighbouring countries and partners from abroad, with the majority being Uzbeki. Very recognizable and possibly by design, the presentations were focussing on transferring information. The rather cramped programme stood in the way of going beyond having presentations one after the other, into debates and dialogues about points of view, stakes, ertc with the intention to look for conciliations, but I add that this is a personell impression from an outsider.

The logistics. The programme ran its course very smoothly. The supporting staff, rthe amenities and the other conditions e.g. luches etc. were very well organised and made life very comfortable.

Outcomes. The conference, as one in the European process towards WWF-6, has given me a good opportunity to make several contacts of interest on the Topic Water and Climate for the internartional process anbd events including International Water Week in Amsterdam and the World Water Forum in Marseille as well as the Water and Climate Conosrium and the Alliance on Water and Climate Adaptation.

The Charter could, in my view, have benefitted if it was footed on the principle of upstream-downstream and inter riparian "benefit sharing". This principle that was underlying tjhe Nile Basin Initiative is a powerfull and easily understood trahnsboundary notion, even though it's appliication for riparian states is quite complicated as the Nile Basin Initiative experience learns us. But, the question can be asked: "Is there a better alternative?"

Future steps. I hope that the outcomes of the conferecne will be writtebn uop in acceptable to all language, and that it can help to positibn the Central Asian region in the water realted global/regional debate for example in the Stockholm Water Weeks, the WWF=6 and the negotiations under COP 17.

Lastly, I wish you all, and in particular the SIC that the Conference has positively contributed to your position aqs a neutral knowledge centre serving all the interests of the Aral Sea basin for tghe benefit iof its people, economies and environment.

I look forward to conitnue working with the SIC and other partners in the Aral Sea basin will join in the organisation of an event or contribution to the priority area 3.3. "Responses to climate and global change in an urbanising world", the Water and Climate Coalition that works on the initiation of a WATER agenda under the UNFCCC anmd the Alliance on Global Water Adaptation".

Thank you very much again to the many people that have made the conference so smooth and enjoyable.

Flavia Loures, World Wildlife Fund

I'd like to thank you for the wonderful hospitality. Uzbekistan is a country of endearing people, always ready and willing to welcome visitors with kindness, generosity and patience. On behalf of WWF, I'm also grateful for the opportunity to work with you towards advancing the widespread endorsement of important international legal instruments among Central Asian countries. I see this conference as being a first step in a longer journey of collaboration in pursuance of our common goals.

As for comments regarding the conference, insufficient time for discussion, especially when the topic is so controversial, was a real issue. Furthermore, the fact that many speakers were from Uzbekistan might have alienated participants from the other countries, leading to further divide instead of consensus. Finally, the final declaration, which is expected to feed into the Forum process, should have been subject to greater debate among participants. If possible, my advice would be to create a space on the website for comments and attempt to develop a text that reflects greater consensus. I'm happy to assist you in this. It would show that Uzbekistan is open to the views of the other countries and willing to act as a neutral leader in identifying the issues of importance for the region.

Murad Bino, The Inter-Islamic Network on Water Resources Development and Management

I would like to thank you for the accommodation support in Tashkent during the 6 WWF you provided for myself and for my colleague Mr. Shihab Al Beiruti of INWRDAM.

INWRDAM received an email from conference organizers asking for comments on the items listed below and our comments on these:

A - Content; The conference content was diverse with regards to CA water resources and with input mainly from the CA region. The exercise was very useful for INWRDAM to have a closer look at the water resources situation and to appreciate the complexity of the issues facing these countries.

B - Organization; the conference was very well organized and went very smoothly in all aspects from arriving to Tashkent Airport to attending the various panel and “round table” meetings and offered an excellent opportunity to meet with water officials specially from CA.

C - Plenary session; The number of plenary sessions were less than expected, but these offered good understanding of the feedback from the conference participants.

D - Round tables; these were loaded with presentations and no time for active discussions. The round table could have been more effective if more time had been allocated for discussions among participants of the roundtables.

E - Draft Charter; the main output from the conference is the draft charter and in light of the conference being an WWF-6 related activity, the charter focused more on a critical subject of riparian country interpretations of upstream/ downstream water rights. The charter as it is announced reflects the view of a downstream county. The is likely to face opposition in later stages of the preparations for the WWF6.

F - Uzbekistan as a whole is a very beautiful and Tashkent is a nice clean city and the Uzbeks are very friendly.

Jitzchak Alster, Israel

I wanted to thank you again for inviting me to the Conference and allowing me to make a presentation there. It was an interesting Conference and the broad participation shows once again the great interest of the international and regional community in the subject matter of water in CAR. The Seminar was organized in an impeccable manner and everything operated perfectly.

Comments and proposals by the Delegation of the Republic of Tajikistan on the draft Final Resolution of the International Conference and the draft Charter of Global Water Security download pdf - 12 kB

Source: Organizing Committee