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Results of the implementation of the International Decade for Action "Water for Life" 2005-2015
On June 9, 2015, the official part of the International High-Level Conference on the results of the implementation of the International Decade for Action “Water for Life” 2005-2015 was opened in the capital of Tajikistan, Dushanbe. The initiative to hold the decade was proposed by Tajikistan on December 23, 2003, at the 58th session of the UN General Assembly.
The official delegation of the Kyrgyz Republic was led by Prime Minister T. Sariyev. The President of Tajikistan, I. Rahmonov, in his welcoming speech noted, “The Decade initiated by Tajikistan was supported by all member states of the UN. We must define further steps for continued work in this direction. The main goal of the high-level conference is to consolidate the efforts of the international community to implement international commitments on water issues, including the Millennium Development Goals. Today, we observe the integration of water issues into development programs, but the modern and rapidly changing world presents us with new challenges. Such challenges include: climate change, population growth, infectious diseases, depletion of natural resources, degradation of natural ecosystems, military conflicts, and much more. These have hindered the implementation of water sector goals. At the same time, significant results have been achieved in water matters, but progress on sanitation issues is not so apparent, with many questions remaining unresolved. Two and a half billion people do not have access to sanitation. Water-related disasters cost the world about 600 billion US dollars a year. It is expected that by 2050, about half of the population will have problems accessing water. Water issues remain one of the most pressing. In this regard, Tajikistan proposes to have an international decade “Water for Sustainable Development.” The UN Secretary-General, Mr. Ban Ki-moon, noted that there is nothing more fundamental to our existence than water. In 2015, the UN will move to a new stage – the Sustainable Development Goals, so it is important to continue work on water issues, renewing countries’ commitments on this matter. During the implementation of the Decade “Water for Life,” the UN declared access to water and sanitation a human right. More than a billion people have gained access to improved sanitation conditions, but at the same time, about a billion people use open defecation, children die from poor-quality water, and two hundred sixty billion dollars cost the world economy on water-related issues. The water crisis is named by experts as one of the most serious risks humanity will face in the near future. But water can also unite. Central Asian countries share the same water resources, but the pressure is growing and will continue to grow. It is important to reach a consensus on issues of joint management. The UN organization for water diplomacy must work towards finding solutions for long-term and sustainable consensus. It is necessary to actively promote women’s empowerment in water issues. Worldwide, women spend about 200 million hours daily fetching water. Work on water issues must undoubtedly continue and set more ambitious goals. The head of the Kyrgyz delegation, Temir Sariyev, in his speech noted that efforts should currently focus on the joint management of natural resources by the international community. At present, there is an imbalance in irrigation and energy interests in Central Asia. For example, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan do not receive adequate compensation for water accumulation. Regional practice shows that joining treaties is often not a guarantee of their implementation by states in the region. To accumulate water volumes in the Toktogul Reservoir, Kyrgyzstan is forced to cut off electricity in winter to store the water needed for irrigation, including in Uzbekistan during the summer, but does not receive compensation for this. Comprehensive use of water resources should aim for mutually beneficial and rational water use and the preservation of the region’s natural ecosystems. One of the most problematic areas in Central Asia is the Aral Sea. To address the problem of the Aral Sea, the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea operates. However, the efforts of ISRA are not sufficient. Kyrgyzstan has advocated for the reform and strengthening of these bodies. Sariyev emphasized again the necessity of conducting negotiations for mutually beneficial cooperation on water issues and Kyrgyzstan’s readiness to work in this direction. He also noted, “At the UN World Conference in Rio in 2012, we expressed support for the development of the principles of a green economy and continue to move in this direction. We also support Tajikistan’s initiative “Water for Sustainable Development” and the three-pronged approach to water issues: water, energy, and food security.” About two thousand delegates from 104 countries took part in the conference. Within the framework of the conference, the following forums are held: the “Water and Women” Forum, organized by UN Women; the Mountain Countries Forum, organized by the Mountain Partnership; and the Children’s Water Forum, organized by UNICEF.
