On June 7, 2022 ECO Secretary General H.E.Mr.Khusrav Noziri took part in the Opening Session of Second High Level International Conference on the International Decade for Action “Water for Sustainable Development 2018-2028 hosted by the Republic of Tajikistan in collaboration with UN and other partners.
The landmark event has commenced with opening statement of Honorable President of the Republic of Tajikistan His Excellency Mr. Emomali Rahmon. The President of the Republic of Tajikistan pointed out UN Water Forum to be co-organized by the Republic of Tajikistan and the Kingdom of Netherlands in 2023, will be playing as a mid-term review of “Water for Sustainable Development 2018-2028”. He also added dire need to set goals for drinkable and sanitation water recourses in global level in order to mobilize efforts to address SDG 6. The president touched upon challenges of climate change that brought about water related natural disasters, in particular with melting of glaciers. In this regard, he revealed scientific activity of Tajikistan through Glacier Study Center. President of Tajikistan emphasized integrated water resources management as utmost importance of sustainable water management system, with clear token of water-food-energy nexus.
Other dignities from participating countries along with UN, reaffirmed critical linkages between water and climate change, health, food. energy, industry and the environment and promote respective science- based solutions and tools.
Opening Session has followed by plenary session entitled: Catalyzing water action and partnership at the local, national, regional and global levels. ECO Secretary General has delivered statement on behalf of Organization. He highlighted ECO Member States’ aspiration to enhance cooperation on water issues as one of prerequisites of sustainable socioeconomic development in the region. He particularly pinpointed that ECO is very keen to work closely with peering regional and international organizations and other stakeholders on water related areas.
Having acknowledged climate change as a water crunch, Secretary General particularly emphasized honorable President H.E. Emomali Rahmon’s initiative within 15th ECO Summit, to declare 2025 the International Year for Preservation of Glaciers, as well as to establish an International Glacier Protection Fund, which can be one of triggering points toward addressing and contributing in tackling one of climate change implications on water challenges of our globe.
The Plenary Sessions have been continued with thematic panel discussions on implication of water in different areas of its impact.
