On 5 June 2023, a regular meeting of the Board of the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea (IFAS) was held in Dushanbe, the Embassy of Turkmenistan in Tajikistan reports.
The delegation of Turkmenistan was headed by Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of Turkmenistan Annageldy Yazmyradov.
The meeting was attended by high-ranking delegations of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan and other officials of the governments of the IFAS founding states, members of the IFAS Executive Committee, as well as representatives of IFAS structural divisions.
During the meeting, the Chairman of the IFAS Executive Committee informed the members of the IFAS Board about the Committee’s activities during the period of Tajikistan’s chairmanship and on following issues:
- the progress of the implementation of the projects of the Action Program to Assist the Countries of the Aral Sea Basin
- the achievements of the Working Group on Improving the Organizational Structure and Legal Framework of IFAS
- holding events on occasion 30th anniversary of IFAS
- preparation for the meeting of the Council of the Heads of the IFAS Founding States in Dushanbe, scheduled for 14-15 September 2023.
In addition, the speakers reviewed the priorities of the activities of this regional structure over the past period. The meeting ended with the signing ceremony of a number of Decisions of the IFAS Board.
The same day, the heads of delegations were also received by the President Tajikistan, IFAS President Emomali Rahmon.
As part of the working visit to Tajikistan, the delegation of Turkmenistan is also taking part in the International Conference “Central Asia: Towards a Sustainable Future through a Strong Regional Institution”, dedicated to the 30th anniversary of IFAS, which takes place from 5 to 7 June in Dushanbe.
Meeting with members of the Board of the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea with President of Tajikistan
On 5 June, the President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon met with members of the Board of the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea, the press service of the President of Tajikistan reports.
During the meeting, the Tajik leader noted that over the past period, IFAS has clearly demonstrated its relevance as an organization aimed at solving a complex set of environmental and socio-economic problems.
Emomali Rahmon stressed the importance of the decisions taken by the Board to strengthen cooperation between the countries of the region in addressing urgent problems of water management.
It should be noted that within the framework of the Fund’s Board meetings, the fourth program of the Aral Sea basin and the regional environmental program for sustainable development of Central Asia were adopted.
The meeting also highlighted the issue of intensifying work with investors and development partners who are interested in the Fund.
In addition, Emomali Rahmon shared on Tajikistan’s initiatives to related to water, climate and glacier conservation, including the adoption of a UN General Assembly resolution declaring 2025 the “International Year of Glacier Conservation”.
It was proposed to enhance cooperation and coordination in the use of water resources, especially in agriculture, the introduction of water-saving technologies and irrigation methods.
Currently, the world is facing new threats, which, along with climate change and other natural disasters, complicate the current situation in the region. More than ever this requires unity and joint struggle of the regional countries against these threats, the President of Tajikistan stressed.
In conclusion, confidence was expressed that the 5th Consultative Meeting of the Heads of Central Asian States and the meeting of the Council of the Heads of the Founding States of the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea, which will be held on 14-15 September 2023 in Dushanbe, will make a significant contribution to cohesion for solving water-related problems and integrating the countries of the region to strengthen the role of IFAS in this process. ///nCa, 6 June 2023
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