DUSHANBE, December 8, 2013, Asia-Plus – Tajik Foreign Minister Sirojiddin Aslov attended the closing ceremony of the International Year of Water Cooperation that took place in Mexico City from December 5 to December 6, the Tajik MFA information department reported.
The event was an opportunity to take stock of progress and achievements made throughout the year and plan the continued promotion of water cooperation.
Along with Mexico’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Jose Antonio Meade Kuribrena, the Health Minister of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Clayton Burgin, Costa Rica’s Environment and Energy Minister Jose Lino Chaves, Assistant UNESCO Director-General for Science Gretchen Kalonji, and CONAGUA Director-General David Korenfeld Federman, Sirojiddin Aslov opened the event that was organized by UNESCO on behalf of UN-Water with the support of the Mexican government through the National Water Commission (CONAGUA).
According to press release issued by UNESCO, the first day, focusing on lessons learned during the International Year, featured a ministerial session on global prospects for water cooperation and key events during the Year.
On the second day, entitled “Beyond the International Year: Recommendations for Action,” the event participants reportedly planned future activities.
The United Nations General Assembly in 2010 proclaimed 2013 International Year of Water Cooperation, following a proposal by Tajikistan and the Year was launched at UNESCO on February 11. UNESCO was asked by UN-Water to organize the Year together with the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) and support from the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA).
