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

Dear Mr. Chair,
Dear participants of the Conference,
Ladies and Gentlemen!

Allow me, on behalf of the Republic of Tajikistan, to express the gratitude to the organizers of this Conference, i.e. the Government of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the World Water Forum for the warm welcome and good working conditions created.

As is known, the main purpose of the conduction of a preparatory conference for World Water Forums is to define the positions of the regions in respect of the issues and problems taken by the organizers as the priority.

Twelve key priority actions grouped around three basic components of sustainable development have been defined for the 6th World Water Forum. It should be noted that the selected topics to be discussed are completely in line with the priority issues of the Central Asian region concerning the use of water and energy resources.

Within this Conference, the organizers have selected seven topics to be considered that are identified by them as the most priority ones for our region. I suppose that open and constructive discussion of these issues will allow us, i.e. conference participants, to identify the main problems and define our future cooperative actions to solve them.

It is generally known that to date the problem of water and energy resources use is the most topical for Central Asia, and stability and prosperity in the regional countries depend on solving of that. To our deep regret, this problem is becoming critical from year to year, and ignoring of that may bring to unwanted and grave consequences. On the other hand, constructive discussions around the water and energy problems would reflect our desires and aspirations for the solution of them.

Because of the rupture of the former interrelations in water and energy resources use, the upstream countries have to change the operating mode of their reservoirs to the energetic mode, which of course can negatively affect the water availability for irrigated lands of the downstream countries during the vegetation period.

At the same time, there is good opportunity to use water and energy resources, taking into account the interests of both the upstream and downstream nations equally and the water use sectors, especially energy sector and irrigation, with which all the parties could benefit. It is estimated that the economic benefits from those could come annually to 5 % of the regional GDP (Central Asia HDR, UNDP, 2006).

The present day challenges, which progress far faster than our actions to struggle against those, also call for well organized water cooperation. According to experts, the glacier resources in the region have reduced during the 20th century by nearly 30 %. This tendency together with rapid population growth, which certainly will cause increase in water consumption, cannot but give rise to anxiety. To date, the resources of natural runoff in the Aral Sea basin have been completely exhausted and the economy of that area is developing under the conditions of growing water deficit.

We suppose that in this situation it is harmonization of the energy and water issues, as well as enhancement of international cooperation that are the key to solve these problems.

First, this concerns ensuring water security and secured water supply to irrigate lands of all countries in the region during dry years.

Second, low-cost and environmentally safe generation of electric power.

Development of hydropower resources also contributes to substantial reduction of carbon dioxide emissions to atmosphere.

The Republic of Tajikistan repeatedly stated its readiness to collaborate with all interested parties and, first, with the countries of the region for the development of the rich potential of the latter.

We fully realize that it is impossible to achieve any success without proper cooperation, and, therefore, we state our readiness to cooperate with all countries in the region on the basis of such fundamental principles as sovereign equality, mutually beneficial cooperation, good neighborly relations, and faithful compliance with the commitments of international agreements.

Only timely and joint efforts would allow the regional countries to confront together the today's challenges and find right ways to solve the existing and emerging problems.

It is good that this conference is held under the slogan «Cooperative Actions for Water Security». I believe that this context – cooperative actions and strengthening of cooperation – will promote more effective management of water and energy resources for ensuring water security, growth of economy, improvement of the population wellbeing, and, in general, achievement of sustainable development.

Thank you for your attention and I wish success, constructive dialogue, and fruitful work to all participants of the Conference.