On 23 March 23, within the framework of the UN 2023 Water Conference, which is being co-chaired by the Republic of Tajikistan and the Kingdom of the Netherlands from 22 to 24 March in New York, the Executive Committee of IFAS held a high-level side event entitled “Central Asia: Commitments for Water Action Agenda”.
The event was organized with the support of the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan and the World Bank in order to demonstrate the solidarity of the region in the joint solution of water problems in order to achieve water and energy, food and ecological security in Central Asia in climate change condition and other challenges, including through the adoption of innovative, transformational and action-oriented commitments at the regional and national levels.
The event also provided an opportunity for representatives of Central Asian countries to announce joint commitments and initiatives taken by the Central Asian region in relation to the implementation of the Water Action Agenda of the UN 2023 Water Conference, as well as to strengthen existing and establish new partnerships along the way of fulfilling of regional obligations. The “Joint Statement” of the countries of Central Asia which was agreed at the IFAS Board meeting on 28 November 2022 in Dushanbe, Tajikistan.
In the High-level event of Central Asia Mr. Sirojiddin Muhriddin – Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Tajikistan spoke on behalf of H.E. Emomali Rahmon- President of the Republic of Tajikistan, President of IFAS, Mr. Saroj Kumar Jha – Global Director of the World Bank Global Water Practice, Mr. Li Junhua- Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs, Ms. Terhi Hakala – Special Representative of the European Union for Central Asia, Mr. Loic Fauchon – President of the World Water Council and other representatives of the Central Asian countries, development partners and other stakeholders took part in the event .
As part of the side event, statements on their national commitments from the countries of Central Asia were also made by Ms. Zulfiya Suleimenova – Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Mr. Jamshed Shoimzoda – First Deputy Minister of Energy and Water Resources of the Republic of Tajikistan, Mr. Durdy Genjiev – Chairman of the State Committee for Water Resources of Turkmenistan and Mr. Azimjon Nazarov – First Deputy Minister of Water Resources of the Republic of Uzbekistan.
