The Secretary General of the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) led a delegation to Dushanbe, Tajikistan, to attend the Central Asia Forum on Water and Climate Change, held on June 10, 2024.
The forum brought together ministers and high-ranking officials from Central Asian nations, including Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan, alongside representatives from prominent international organizations such as the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
In his keynote address, H.E. Mr. Rustam Nazarzoda, Chairman of the Tajikistan Committee for Emergency Situations and Civil Defense, underscored the vital importance of effective management systems for natural resources, with a particular focus on water. He also highlighted the urgent need for financial investments to enhance capacity building and risk reduction measures.
The forum’s panelists discussed the critical role of digitalization in early warning systems, the importance of data exchange for disaster risk reduction (DRR) and the mutual and equitable utilization of water resources.
Ms. Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana, Executive Secretary of UNESCAP, emphasized the significance of regional cooperation, drawing attention to their studies on the Aral Sea as a testament to the benefits of collaborative efforts.
