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On March 22-24, the UN Conference on the Midterm Comprehensive Review of the implementation of the goals of the International Decade for Action "Water for Sustainable Development" (2018-2028) was held at the UN Headquarters in New York on March 22-24.

UN Secretary General António Guterres, speaking at the opening of the conference, proposed consolidating joint efforts in four areas to overcome the global water crisis: equitable access to water, investment in water management, their rational consumption, combating climate change.

The conference, along with high-ranking representatives of national governments and UN structures, was also attended by the delegation of Turkmenistan headed by Chairman of the State Committee for Water Resources of Turkmenistan Durdy Gendzhiev. This was reported on the page of the country's permanent mission to the UN.

Speaking at the forum, the Turkmen side outlined the main approaches of Turkmenistan on water issues and key areas for the development of the country's international cooperation in this area.

In particular, it was emphasized that Turkmenistan proceeds from the fact that water is the common property of mankind, and equal and fair access to water and sanitation are fundamental human rights. As such, national governments have a responsibility to ensure the right to access water, especially in the current challenging environment of the global health and food security crisis.

Turkmenistan stands for the solution of all emerging regional water and energy problems on the basis of generally recognized norms of international law, taking into account the interests of each country, as well as with the active participation of international organizations, primarily the UN.

Water diplomacy is one of the priorities of the foreign policy of Turkmenistan, in this context, the country confirmed national initiatives for the rational use of water resources and strengthening international cooperation in solving environmental problems, in particular, the development of the UN Water Strategy, the establishment of the UN Special Program for the Aral Sea Basin and the creation Regional Center for Climate Change Technologies in Central Asia.

The delegation of Turkmenistan also took part in the high-level side event “Central Asia: Commitments to the Water Action Program”, organized jointly by the Executive Committee of the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea (IFAS), the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan, which chairs IFAS, and the World Bank.

The conference was attended by 7 heads of state and government, vice presidents, deputy prime ministers and more than 70 national ministers with water portfolios.

The main goal of the conference was the adoption of voluntary commitments by UN member states, international organizations and financial institutions to implement the second stage of the International Decade for Action on Water Resources and the implementation of the relevant Sustainable Development Goals.

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Photo: un.mission.gov.tm