DUSHANBE, September 2, 2009, Asia-Plus — Tajik Foreign Minister Hamrokhon Zarifi has called on the International Commission on Large Dams (ICOLD) to conduct international conference in Dushanbe with participation of international experts, researchers and statesmen for the purpose of studying Tajikistan’s experience in constructing and operating large dams.
Zarifi remarked this yesterday here at a meeting with visiting ICOLD President Jia Jinsheng, according to the Tajik MFA information department.
Dwelling on the issue of use of water-and-energy resources in the Central Asian region, Tajik minister underlined the significance of development of hydropower engineering for socioeconomic development and alleviation of poverty in Tajikistan and the region as a whole. In this context, he pointed out construction of the Roghun and Dashtijum hydroelectric power stations in the country.
Zarifi and Jia expressed readiness for cooperation in the field of ensuring safety of operation and maintenance of large dams and exchange of experience between the ICOLD participating countries, the information department said.
We will recall that the ICOLD president arrived in Tajikistan yesterday morning. He will attend an international two-day technical conference on Lake Sarez that is opening in Norak today.
The ICOLD is a non-governmental International Organization which provides a forum for the exchange of knowledge and experience in dam engineering. The Organization leads the profession in ensuring that dams are built safely, efficiently, economically, and without detrimental effects on the environment. Its original aim was to encourage advances in the planning, design, construction, operation, and maintenance of large dams and their associated civil works, by collecting and disseminating relevant information and by studying related technical questions.
Since the late sixties, focus was put on subjects of current concern such as dam safety, monitoring of performance, reanalysis of older dams and spillways, effects of ageing and environmental impact. More recently, new subjects include cost studies at the planning and construction stages, harnessing international rivers, information for the public at large, and financing.
