President Sadyr Japarov of Kyrgyzstan delivered a significant speech during the V Consultative Meeting of the Heads of State of Central Asia in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, where he highlighted the pressing concerns regarding water resources in the region. The Presidential press service reported on his remarks, emphasizing the importance of maintaining dialogue and trust among the Central Asian states.
Japarov began his address by underlining the importance of these consultative meetings as a means to foster regular high-level dialogue and strengthen mutual trust among the nations of Central Asia.
"I am confident that our joint work, constant dialogue, and communication on the basis of mutual respect, consideration of each other’s interests, in the spirit of good neighborliness, will allow us to overcome all obstacles and difficulties, develop and maintain a sense of common interests and unity of the peoples who have inhabited our vast and rich region" he stated.
The President then outlined the priority areas of cooperation for Kyrgyzstan in Central Asia:
- Expansion and Deepening of Trade and Economic Ties: Promoting economic relations within the region.
- Water Energy Sector: Addressing the increasingly vital issues of water resource management and energy production.
- Diversification and Expansion of Transport Corridors: Enhancing connectivity through improved transport networks.
- Strengthening Transit Potential: Boosting regional transit capabilities.
- Solving Problems of Irrigation and Land Reclamation: Tackling agricultural challenges.
- Expansion of Cultural and Humanitarian Ties: Encouraging cultural exchanges.
- Cooperation in Culture, Tourism, Education: Fostering collaboration in education and tourism.
- Implementation of Joint Projects: Undertaking mutually beneficial initiatives.
- Ensuring Regional Security: Taking coordinated measures to safeguard the region.
Japarov emphasized the growing significance of climate change adaptation, efficient water resource utilization, and collaboration within the energy sector.
"In recent years, the world as a whole, and especially our region, has increasingly felt the negative impact of climate change: abnormal frosts, emergencies, prolonged drought, and low water levels have been observed. Therefore, in winter here, in Kyrgyzstan, and in neighboring countries of Central Asia, due to abnormal cold weather, electricity consumption has sharply increased, and in summer, due to drought and low water levels, there is widespread water shortage. I think it has already become obvious to everyone that there will be less and less water from year to year, and the need for it will increase more and more," he stated.
Kyrgyzstan, despite facing damage to water management infrastructure due to low water levels, has diligently fulfilled its interstate obligations on water resources.
The President called for a shift in the region's approach to water as a vital resource, stressing the need for substantial, specific, and effective measures, including attracting substantial capital investments into the water and energy sectors. Japarov also proposed reforming water management organizations to align with contemporary realities and suggested a revival of cooperation within the framework of the 1998 agreement on water and energy resources of Naryn-Syr Darya rivers among Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, and Tajikistan, aiming for a balanced exchange of these crucial resources.
Furthermore, he suggested the establishment of a regional center in Bishkek focused on introducing energy-efficient and resource-saving technologies in Central Asia, enhancing the rational use of water and energy resources.
Kyrgyzstan, Japarov said, is shifting its water policy from a user-based approach to an environmental one, aimed at preserving the zone of water resource formation, ensuring the safety of hydraulic structures, and gathering comprehensive ecological data in the upper river basins.
The President's call to action was clear:
"The unresolved nature of water and energy problems in one country may be reflected in the issue of water provision for other Central Asian states."
He urged collective efforts to attract investments and modern technologies into Kyrgyzstan's water sector, as the nation is responsible for nearly half of the region's water resources. Such collaboration, he believed, would enhance the efficient utilization of these vital resources and bolster resilience to environmental challenges.
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