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

Dear participants of the International Conference!

Ladies and gentlemen,

First, I would like to express my gratitude to the host - representatives of Uzbekistan for the warm welcome given to our delegation. I would also like to thank the Organizing Committee for the invitation to participate at the International Scientific Conference devoted to such important problems facing our region as water security and water resources management.

We are confident that joint discussion of the regional water problems at this Conference will open ample opportunities for better understanding of the current issues, rapprochement of our positions on their settlement, as well as for development of effective cooperation.

As a renewable natural resource, water is formed and flows according its own natural laws and ignores national boundaries. However, we well realize that it is not an infinite resource and needs to be treated carefully. Moreover, water needs continuous improvement of its quantity and quality management, rational and effective use, safe protection from pollution and depletion, development and implementation of the measures aimed to prevent and avoid its harmful environmental impact.

Water issues have become the most topical in many regions of the world. Water shortage, disastrous floods and inundations, soil erosion and salinity, and water pollution is caused in many cases by ineffective use and management of water resources. The history suggests that the one who does not repeat mistakes of others and learns from those will succeed. Hence, we must not repeat mistakes in water resources management issues.

My distinguished friends,

It should be noted that the issue of environment, water security, and related integrated water resources management in Central Asia are one of the priority lines of the policy followed by the Honorable President of Turkmenistan. In particular, concerning that issue the Head of our State spoke the following at the 65th United Nations General Assembly:

“The major problem directly related to environment is the use of water resources. Particularly, their rational use in Central Asia is one of the determinants that influence the dynamics of the social and economic development in our countries. Turkmenistan thinks the solution to all water related problems should be based on the universally recognized standards of international law taking into consideration the interests of all the countries in the region and with active involvement of the world community represented by the United Nations and other authoritative international organizations”.

Water resources are the key factor of the economic activity in Turkmenistan. Surface water sources are, mainly, of transboundary character. The countries located in transboundary river basins are connected through water systems. Any change in the water use by any country will inevitably infringes on the interests of other riparian countries. The need for a modern interconnected and coordinated system of transboundary water resources management is driven by nature itself and calls for the establishment and development of the mechanism of cooperation towards integrated approaches.

The Central Asian countries have sufficiently broad experience of collaboration in solving inter-state water relation problems, the positive results of which are acknowledged worldwide.

Cooperation between the Central Asian countries under umbrella of ICWC for the past 18 years has allowed establishing certain methods, style, and order of collaboration between the countries on the use and management of the Amudarya and Syrdarya river waters. These approaches are unique inasmuch as continuing coordination, planning of actions, adjustment, and allocation of water resources are carried out within the scope of this cooperation.

Nevertheless, the progress of joint efforts and assessments by analysts in the water management field show that there is some inertness and stagnation in the ICWC activity, especially in the improvement of the regional water management policy and strengthening of the legal framework.

It is known that for effective transboundary basin management a new system of national and inter-state standards and rules for water resources use and protection is required along with explicit procedures, economic mechanism, and criteria. Analysis of the situation with regional water resources use highlights the issues related to their economical and effective use, because water saving is the only prospect for future development in the region. The increasing needs of the community caused by population growth as well as those of agriculture and industry can be met only through rational water use, demand management, and all-round water conservation.

Dear participants of the International Conference,

Allow me to wish you fruitful work at the Conference.

Thank you.