In a statement delivered at a meeting of the High Level Panel on Water in Budapest, Tajik President Emomali Rahmon noted on November 29 that the High-Level Panel on Water has adopted an Action Plan, consisting of 9 priority goals and 48 objectives.
Noting the importance of an adoption of the Action Plan, he expressed Tajikistan’s willingness to participate in an implementation of all its priority topics and actions.
He said that Tajikistan had initiated the International Decade "Water for Sustainable Development", which is included in the first task of the Plan.
“A Draft Resolution on this topic is for the time being in the final stage of consideration by the UN General Assembly in New York,” Rahmon said, noting that if the resolution is adopted, it will lay down a reliable and a solid platform for enhanced cooperation and joint efforts among stakeholders to promote sustainable development goals and address other water related issues.
He further noted that Tajikistan played an important role in the establishment of partnerships and international cooperation aimed at reduction of the risks of natural disasters, mitigation of a climate change impact, promotion of access to safe drinking water and basic sanitation, improved environment, infrastructure and investment, water resources management, and, inter alia, a role of water resources in sustainable economy.
Rahmon focused on two aspects of the Action Plan: investment and infrastructure. “These aspects are, in our opinion, the key to addressing water challenges,” he said.
“This is especially important in the context of new threats and challenges, and primarily in terms of an impact of climate change and the growth of the population, causing, as it is known, on the one hand to a reduction in reserves of fresh water, on the other hand to the increased water consumption,” said Tajik leader. “To a great regret, this trend has been steadily growing, increasing water scarcity at all levels and, according to the estimation of experts, it will, by 2030, become a reason to over 40% of the world's population to experience water shortages.”
He pointed to the necessity of ensuring sustainable financing and facilitating investment growth in infrastructure projects in the water sector.
Rahmon noted that support for initiatives to improve water sector financing, including through existing global funds like the Green Climate Fund, was essential and would be a timely.
“Modernization of existing and creation of new infrastructure, as well as the introduction of new technologies, will certainly play a key role in providing the efficient use and preservation of water resources,” Tajik president said, noting that construction of water reservoirs enables not only develop discounted and environmentally friendly electricity, but it also ensures a reliable regulation of water flow in terms of climate volatility, protection of territories and population from mudflows and floods, help mitigate the impact of drought and significantly reduce CO2 (carbon dioxide) emissions into the atmosphere.
This reportedly certifies that well-planned infrastructure project could simultaneously help to address several vital problems.
“It is for this purpose, along with the improvement of legislation and institutional management framework, we have included development of water infrastructure in the program of water sector reform in Tajikistan,” Rahmon said, adding that over 80% of financial resources will be allocated for the solution of that problem.
