Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- On 23 April this year, the Asia-Pacific Water Summit, the largest conference of the Asia-Pacific Water Forum, began its work in Kumamoto, Japan.

The Asia-Pacific Water Forum was established in 2006 at the initiative of Japanese Prime Minister Ryutaro Hashimoto to promote sustainable water management to achieve the Millennium Development Goals - 8 priority development goals. Among these priorities are improving the access of the population to clean and drinking water, improving water infrastructure, restoring river basins and reservoirs, and other areas.

The Summit was attended by Heads of State, as well as heads of government, heads of relevant ministries, representatives of the private sector and international public organizations from 49 countries of the Asia-Pacific region.

The Republic of Uzbekistan was represented at the event by the Deputy Prime Minister - Minister of Investments and Foreign Trade Sardor Umurzakov.

The theme of this year’s Summit is "Water for Sustainable Development: Best Practices for Next Generations". The event is designed to promote the exchange of best practices and discussion of topical issues related to the use and distribution of water resources, taking into account the need to ensure the region’s water security and the needs of the population for drinking water.

The Summit was moderated by Yoshiru Mori, Chairman of the Joint Executive Committee of the Asia-Pacific Water Summit, President of the Asia-Pacific Water Forum, and President of the Japan Water Forum.

The Japan Water Forum, formed in 2004, serves as the secretariat for the Asia-Pacific Water Forum. Its mission is to conduct research and advice on global water issues, promote awareness of Japan’s accumulated know-how and technologies related to efficient water management, and promote cooperation between water stakeholders in Japan and abroad. The corporate members of the Japan Water Forum are 85 leading Japanese companies. The Forum is a consolidating platform for attracting investments in the water sector and expanding regional cooperation in this area.

During the opening of the Summit, which was held in a hybrid format, the Emperor of Japan Naruhito spoke about the country’s experience in promoting mechanisms for the efficient use of water resources and outlined Japan’s national priorities in further promoting multilateral cooperation in this area.

At the end of the opening ceremony, meetings of the heads of delegations of the countries participating in the Summit, as well as other events included in its business program, were held.

An important point was the high-level plenary session, during which key issues on the agenda of the event were discussed. Speaking at the meeting, Sardor Umurzakov voiced the position of Uzbekistan on solving existing problems in the field of water resources use in the Central Asian region. It was noted that the country has developed and approved the Strategy for Water Resources Management and Development of the Irrigation Sector for 2021-2023, as well as the Concept for the Development of the Water Sector until 2030, which provide for the large-scale introduction of water-saving technologies and high-tech systems in agriculture and industrial enterprises of the country. Particular emphasis was also placed on the current challenges associated with the Aral Sea crisis and the measures taken by the government of Uzbekistan to overcome them. In addition, proposals were put forward to create a platform for the younger generation within the framework of the Summit and an effective mechanism for the exchange of experience, information and strategies in the field of reducing water consumption and efficient water use in agriculture.

In this vein, the importance of the practical activities of the Multi-Partner Trust Fund for Human Security for the Aral Sea region was emphasized, referring to the implementation of projects to improve the economic situation in the region, improve the quality of life of the population and overcome the environmental consequences of the drying up of the Aral Sea.

As a result of the first day of the Summit, the “Kumamoto Declaration” was adopted and announced, containing specific proposals for transforming society and orienting it towards improving the quality of life, supporting efforts to increase investment and building human potential, as well as expanding regional cooperation and mobilizing resources and existing tools of multilateral cooperation on solving water issues that take place in the countries participating in the Summit.

The Declaration also called on the scientific and technical community of the countries of the region to join efforts to develop and implement innovations in the field of water management, taking into account specific climatic, geographical, and national conditions to solve water problems.

The summit will continue its work on 23 and 24 April. During the two-day event, 9 parallel thematic sessions, sectional exhibitions, as well as 4 integrated sessions are planned.