DUSHANBE, April 6, 2010, Asia-Plus — The United Nations is ready to provide support to Central Asia’s for development of their economies and social spheres, visiting United Nations Secretary-General ban Ki-moon remarked at a news conference in Dushanbe on April 6.
According to him, issues related to seeking solution to water-and-energy problems in the region and ways to remove obstacles for cooperation between Central Asia’s countries were discussed during his talks with Tajikistan’s leadership.
“I called on the Central Asian countries to fairly distribute water resources in the region,” stressed Mr. Ban, “Energy resources must not be cause of deterioration of relations between the countries of Central Asia.”
Touching upon the issue of construction of waterside structures in Tajikistan, in particular the Roghun HPP, the UN chief noted that the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the Government of Tajikistan and the World Bank on carrying out techno-economic, environmental and social impact assessments for the Roghun hydroelectricity project was a positive moment in solution of the issue.
We will recall that the Government of Tajikistan and the World Bank on March 12 this year signed a MoU on energy development for sustainable growth. The document establishes the key foundational principles and the scope of cooperation between the Government of Tajikistan and the World Bank to achieve sustainable development of Tajikistan”s energy resources, secure supply of energy services to the people of Tajikistan and promote balanced economic growth. Under this document, the sides cooperates in initiating and advancing the techno-economic, the environmental and social impact assessments for the Roghun HPP with due regard to international standards of environmental and social standards, as well as compliance with applicable operational policies of the World Bank, including dam safety, environmental impact assessment, resettlement, and issues related to downstream countries.
Use of water-and-energy resources and construction of the waterside structures on territories of the countries of the region is a serious issue and it should be solved fairly with due regard to interests of all countries of the region, Mr. Ban noted.
Besides, the UN chief called on Uzbek authorities to solve the Tajik freight holdup problem as soon as possible and allow stranded railroad cars to move into Tajikistan. He noted that the blockade was depriving Tajik farmers of seeds, fuel and other necessary supplies at the height of the seed-planting season. “The countries of the region should tackle these problems jointly,” Mr. Ban said.
