Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.uz) — Uzbekistan will assume the chairmanship of the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea next year and plans to improve its effectiveness, implement new environmental projects and attract additional funding.
President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev made the statement at the Consultative Meeting of the Heads of State of Central Asia in Awaza, the press service of the President of Uzbekistan reported.
“We view this mission as a great responsibility,” the president said.
Mirziyoyev noted that water scarcity is becoming an increasingly serious constraint on the development of Central Asia. The situation is being affected by climate change, population growth and increasing pressure on agriculture and infrastructure.
Under these conditions, the countries of the region need to assess available water resources more accurately and monitor their use, the president said. To this end, he proposed introducing modern digital monitoring systems, modernizing irrigation networks and expanding the use of water-saving technologies.
“Today, large water losses are costing our region too much,” Mirziyoyev stressed.
The president also called for the full implementation of the joint initiative of the Central Asian countries on the Decade of Practical Action for the Rational Use of Water Resources in the Region.
Mirziyoyev proposed paying particular attention to dialogue with Afghanistan on water resource use.
In his view, this dialogue should be permanent and substantive, while decisions taken should take into account the interests of all Central Asian countries.
Mirziyoyev also identified climate change, energy, air pollution and critical minerals as areas requiring joint decisions by the countries of the region.
The Consultative Meeting in Awaza was held with the participation of Azerbaijan for the first time.
