Dr. Muhammad Al Jasser, President and Group Chairman of the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB), advocated for global action on water access, highlighting IsDB's recent approval of a $150mn financing for the Rogun Hydropower Plant. This project aims to provide renewable energy to Tajikistan and neighboring Central Asian countries.
On the 4th day of his official visit to the Republic of Tajikistan, Dr. Al Jasser took part in the 3rd Dushanbe Water Action Decade Conference, emphasizing the critical need for global action on water access.
The conference, which opened with a statement by the President of Tajikistan, President Emomali Rahmon, drew together ministers and ranking officials from Tajikistan and several other nations. Among the distinguished attendees were officials from the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Gabonese Republic, Zimbabwe, Angola, Zambia, as well as key figures from international organizations including the United Nations and the World Bank Group.
Dr. Al Jasser commended Tajikistan for its commitment to hosting the biennial international event under the Dushanbe Water Process in partnership with the United Nations. He highlighted the conference's role in reviewing progress in managing water resources, fostering international cooperation, and addressing global water challenges such as climate change and water scarcity.
Underlining integrated water resource management as a cornerstone of IsDB's Water Sector Policy, Dr. Al Jasser shed light on the IsDB Group's efforts in Tajikistan, particularly through the Danghara Valley irrigation project, which has led to significant water savings and improved crop yields.
Dr. Al Jasser emphasized the innovative partnerships with the World Bank Group and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) in realizing this endeavor.
Over the past 50 years, IsDB has made substantial investments in agriculture, rural development, water supply, and sanitation, totaling over $24bn and $8.2bn, respectively.
Expressing concern over the global water access situation, Dr. Al Jasser pointed out that approximately 258mn people in IsDB member countries still lack access to basic drinking water, with a significant portion residing in Sub-Saharan Africa.
He called for a renewed commitment to the principles of the Water Action Decade, emphasizing rational resource use and global solidarity to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 6 (SDG 6).
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