The 2nd Asia-Pacific Water Summit entitled “Water Security and Water-related Disaster Challenges: Leadership and Commitment” has begun its work in Chiang Mai of the Kingdom of Thailand.

The President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon, heads of state and government and other high-level representatives from numerous countries and organizations have arrived in this city to attend this great regional event on water issues.

As it was mentioned, this event and many other regional and international activities related to water issues are being held in the framework of International Decade “Water for Life” 2005-2015 and International Year of Water Cooperation, adopted and declared by the United Nations at the initiative of Tajikistan.

Head of state Emomali Rahmon during his speech named “achievement of goals in water sphere” as a main path of attaining other development goals and called upon the world community, including Asian countries, particularly Central Asia for constructive cooperation in this direction.

The President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon referred to 5 problems related to water in Central Asia, the elimination of which depends on fruitful positioning and constructive cooperation:

1. Unequal distribution of water resources in the region;
2. Possible prospects for reduction of water resources in the mid-term and long-term future as a result of impact of climate change;
3. Increase of water consumption due to increase of population and economic development;
4. Frequent occurrence of natural water disasters and continuation of process of Aral Sea desiccation;
5. Insufficient cooperation of the countries in the region in order to address urgent water and energy issues.

Emomali Rahmon repeatedly stressed “firm support” of Tajikistan in “peaceful addressing of water difficulties” and stated: “We are ready for cooperation with all neighboring countries and other interested parties for joint use of our water resources, which make up about 60 percent of regional water resources”.

The Tajik President Emomali Rahmon availed this opportunity to invite the participants of the summit to the International High-Level Conference on Water Cooperation which is scheduled for 20-22 August this year in Dushanbe.

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