The Turkmen delegation took part in the World Water Forum in Brazil
March 29, 2018 | 11:44 |1774
The 8th World Water Forum, which is the world's largest platform for discussing water-related issues, concluded in Brazil on March 23rd. Problems of global importance were touched upon, and, of course, the Aral crisis was not left aside. The Executive Committee of the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea (IFAS), under the chairmanship of Turkmenistan, presented the interim results of the Aral Sea Basin Program of Action (ASBP-4). The main goal of the Program aimed at strengthening national, regional and international cooperation to improve the environmental and socio-economic situation in the Aral Basin, includes joint practical activities to overcome the consequences of the Aral Sea crisis, reduce its negative impact on the environment, the biological diversity of the region and the livelihoods of the population of the Aral Sea region. This program includes the integrated use of water resources and the development of institutional and legal mechanisms. Regional and national groups are being set up to develop the ASBP-4, involving international experts and specialists from various ministries and departments. As part of the resolution on granting observer status to IFAS in the UN General Assembly, the Turkmen side proposed the development of a special UN program that could become a separate activity of the organization. In the context of the Paris Agreement on Climate and Sustainable Development Goals, the Executive Committee of IFAS is working on the improvement of the Regional Environmental Action Plan for Central Asia (REAP).Maya AMANMURADOVA
The largest project of the Foundation is "Creation of local reservoirs in the delta of the Amu Darya River", aimed at improving the ecological situation, providing engineering regulation of the water system, restoring biodiversity and increasing the natural productivity of the bio resources of the Aral Sea area. It also provides for the plantation of trees on the dried bottom of the Aral Sea to fix the sands and reduce the transfer of salts and dust to agricultural land.
Within the framework of the Fund and its structures, small loans are provided for creating new jobs, raising the living standards of the population of the Aral Sea region, which is left without traditional activities, etc.
Thanks to the purposeful work of IFAS, a number of results have been achieved: the awareness of the public in the Central Asian region about the value of water, its role in ensuring peace, stability, and sustainability of economic development has increased; people are more aware of the causes of the Aral crisis, the activities of governments, public and international organizations in overcoming its consequences for people and nature; water users were convinced of the possibility of saving water while preserving the results of its use; reduction of irrational water use by 4-4.5%; creation of new infrastructures and water use authorities.
For the even more successful implementation of the tasks assigned to the Fund, the active participation of all IFAS affiliates - the Interstate Commission for Water Coordination (ICWC) and the Interstate Commission for Sustainable Development (ICSD) - is required. Well-coordinated work of all structures of IFAS will allow for strengthening of cooperation, promotion and implementation of joint projects and programs.
Turkmenistan, as the chairman of IFAS, plans to initiate the resolution of all issues for the accession of the Central Asian countries to the Framework Convention for Protection of the Environment for Sustainable Development in Central Asia (Ashgabat Convention 2006) and to launch the development of a Central Asian Water Convention that takes into account the interests of all participants.
