Within the framework of the Seventh EU- Central Asia High-Level Conference (EU-CA), which started on 23 February 2023 in Rome, Italy, the Chairman of the Executive Committee of IFAS Mr. Sulton Rahimzoda made a presentation at the first session on Environment, Water and climate change in Central Asia. In his presentation entitled “Water resources as the main driving force for addressing environmental and climate challenges”, Mr. Sulton Rahimzoda noted the important role of water resources in the development of regional cooperation and the achievement of sustainable development in general.
Mr. Rahimzoda presented to the attention of the participants the current situation of the impact of climate change on water resources and glaciers in the conditions of Central Asia; challenges faced by the region and provided information on the measures taken by the countries to combat them, including by actively cooperating using the IFAS platform.
He emphasized the role of water in the economic growth of the region and its climate resilience and noted the importance of an integrated approach to solving water issues, as well as strengthening cooperation to create effective institutional and legal mechanisms to adequately respond to new challenges.
Sulton Rahimzoda, citing excerpts from the final documents of the consultative meetings of the Heads of States over the past few years, emphasized the positive dynamics in the mutual understanding of the states of the region on the integrated use of water and energy resources, taking into account the interests of all parties.
In this context, he noted that in 2021 the IFAS Board approved APBP-4, which is an important tool for transforming ideas and commitments into real actions, and called on the European Union and other development partners to provide full support in its implementation.
At the end of his speech, the Chairman focused the attention of the participants on the 30th anniversary of IFAS and the events that are planned in honor of this anniversary both in the Central Asian region and at the global level. He also invited all participants to join the region to celebrate this anniversary in the framework of the International Conference, which will be held on 5-7 June in Dushanbe.
