DUSHANBE, March 17, 2009, Asia-Plus – On Monday March 16, President Emomali Rahmon delivered a statement at the 5th World Water Forum (WWF) in Istanbul, Turkey.
According to presidential press service, in his statement, Tajik leader, in particular, noted that some 40 percent of water used for irrigation of lands in the Central Asian region was spent irreversibly.
According to him, construction of reservoirs and hydropower stations that could promote saving water for agricultural needs of the region along with providing the population with electricity was call of the times.
Relaying on data of the UN Special Program for Economies of the Central Asia (SPECA) SPECA, President Rahmon noted that reserves of oil and natural gas in the region were enough for 60-70 years and in case of disregarding this reality, Central Asia might be faced with serious problems in the future, the press service said.
President Rahmon also proposed to set up an extraordinary fund within the United Nations for supporting needy countries.
He also noted that announcement of the year of 2010 as International Year of Water Diplomacy could play a positive role in solving water-related problems throughout the world.
Tajik president called on international community and appropriate organizations to actively participate in preparing international forum “Water or Life” that would be held in Dushanbe next year, presidential press service said.
President Rahmon returned to Dushanbe yesterday evening.
