Executive Committee of IFAS: new steps are made to overcome the Aral Sea crisis
November 14, 2017 | 00:59 |325
A number of important documents were signed today in the Ashgabat office of the Executive Committee of the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea (IFAS), aimed at intensifying joint actions of regional organizations of Central Asia to overcome the Aral Sea ecological crisis.Eziz OVEZOV
The documents were signed by the Chairman of the Executive Committee of IFAS G. Baydzharov, the Director of the Regional Program of the German Society for International Cooperation (GIZ) Karolina Milov and the Executive Director of the Regional Environmental Center of Central Asia (CAREC) Iskander Abdullayev.
The documents include the Memorandum of Understanding between the Executive Committee of IFAS and GIZ, and the Memorandum of Cooperation between the Executive Committee of IFAS and CAREC, which provides for the joint implementation of the projects "Water, Education and Cooperation" ("SmartWatersProject") and "Central Asian Dialogue on the Use of Multi- water-energy-food ".
The agreements were adopted within the framework of the 6th meeting of regional organizations involved in sustainable development and water resources management in Central Asia with the participation of the IFAS branch offices in the countries. Within the framework of the meeting there were also sessions devoted to the assessment of the implementation of the Concept of Turkmenistan's Presidency in IFAS, summing up and developing new programs to save the Aral Sea.
"In the Memorandum of Understanding, we reflected plans for cooperation for the next three years," K. Milov told Orient. - "They will include technical assistance, cooperation in carrying out joint activities under the chairmanship of Turkmenistan in IFAS, the development of the 4th Aral Sea Basin Program".
Iskander Abdullayev told in an interview to Orient about the current state of the Aral issue and new agreements:
- The Aral problem can not be solved within the framework of one country, therefore the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea, which our countries created at the dawn of independence, provides effective opportunities for solving it through attracting investments, and implementing new projects.
Today, the Executive Committee of IFAS under the chairmanship of Turkmenistan signed projects aimed at developing education, improving cooperation between scientists, as well as solving the water management problems of the region. We are sure that under the chairmanship of Turkmenistan, IFAS will achieve even greater success, because the signed documents clearly indicate in which directions it will be necessary to continue the work.
- Which directions are indicated in the documents signed today?
- The first is the concretization of the water strategy for the region. This is a very urgent issue.
The second is the creation of a new Action Plan for the Aral Sea. It involves the definition of practical measures, gives an opportunity, without stopping at what has been achieved, to move further along the path of improving the living conditions for the population.
And the third is the renewal of the Environmental Action Program. This is also a very important factor for our region, as the Program specifies areas of cooperation in environmental issues.
- For several months, Turkmenistan has been heading the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea on the terms of rotation. How do you assess this short period?
- Much has been done, but more will be done. Because under the chairmanship of Turkmenistan it is expected to solve a number of problems. Why? Because, firstly, the current state of affairs has been carefully analyzed, concrete actions are planned, a good team is formed and partners are working together. That's why I predict that we will see great positive changes after a certain time.
Secondly, our organization - the Regional Environmental Center in Central Asia - has been fruitfully cooperating with Turkmenistan for a long time. We held a big environmental forum this year. We hope that this partnership is already bearing fruit, because we have become closer to each other, and our countries can jointly solve the Aral problem.
- You said that the joint task is "not stopping at what has been achieved, moving on." What did the Foundation and partner countries achieve in improving the ecological situation in the Aral Sea area?
- First and foremost, a lot of work has been done in the social sphere. People who live in the Aral Sea area were systematically provided with work, housing, lending and microcrediting, and so on. This had a positive effect on improving the welfare of the local population.
The second, drained bottom of the Aral on the territory of about a hundred thousand hectares has been planted woth forest plantations, which stops the process of weathering salts and sands, which are harmful to health.
In addition, a lot of work has been done to create a landscape that creates emollient conditions for people, because during the draining of the Aral, a desert of 5 million hectares was formed. And the process of desertification is a big environmental problem.
Giant work has been successfully carried out, but this is not enough. Because the people who lived by the sea eventually ended up in the desert. A significant part of the sea that gave people work and created a certain ecosystem is no longer there. Therefore, we must compensate the local population for its absence. And most importantly - we must, constantly monitor all changes. In order to solve the Aral problem, we need to rally even closer to ensure effective partnership for solving specific water issues and ecology in general. And this will unite and motivate our peoples even more.
- To date, a lot has been achieved, but what are the next steps?
- I think the next step should be permanent monitoring of the problems of the Aral Sea, which is very, very important. It is necessary to be aware of what specific changes are taking place there and to take prompt necessary actions that are appropriate to the problems that arise.
Second, this is what President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov proposes - to create a water strategy for the region, which is extremely important. Because we need to determine for ourselves where we will move together, how we will use water today, in 5 years, in 10 years, and what we will leave to the next generations.
- Please, tell me of the immediate goal and tasks of the current day: to stop the degradation of land in the Aral Sea area or to begin its development?
"I think we managed to stop the degradation to some extent." But now it is time to go further, to develop these lands. And we should not take the Aral region exclusively from the negative side. We need to inform people more about what positive changes have already occurred, how the inhabitants of the Aral Sea area began to live better, attract tourists here, and develop eco-tourism. And it is important to economically develop this region so that people can live even better.
And I think we will achieve this, because in our countries there is strength, resources, and human potential.
