Dushanbe, 30.11.2015. (NIAT «Khovar») — Today the President of the Republic of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon took part and delivered speech at the High-level summit of Heads of States — 21st Session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP21) in Paris, Republic of France.

President Emomali Rahmon said that today’s conference, no doubt is continuation of the ongoing efforts of our countries to create a system approach of the international community to the issue of preventing further increases in greenhouse gas emissions, with a view to prevention, the development of measures to reduce global warming and the negative effects of Climatechange.

The Republic of Tajikistan expressing their national stance in response to the call of the United Nations concerning the provisions of the Paris Agreement on the Conservation of the average temperature of the planet, actively cooperates in this process in the framework of the Durban Working Group.

Emomali Rahmon stressed that «despite the fact that the share of the Republic of Tajikistan in the release of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere on a global scale is insignificant, however, our country is one of the vulnerable countries in the issue of climate change. Today, the main areas of Tajikistan’s economy faced with the negative effects of climate change. »

In the continuation of speech Emomali Rahmon said that our country, with 93 percent of mountainous territory, is one of the main sources of water resources in Central Asia. However, 60 percent of water resources in the region originate from glaciers in Tajikistan.

In addition, Emomali Rahmon said: «Intensive melting of glaciers due to climate change poses a serious threat to the process of ensuring favorable living conditions and protection of water resources. It is enough to say that out of 14,000 glaciers in Tajikistan, of vital importance for the whole region, for the past 30 years, more than 1,000 glacierswere vanished.»

According to President, the process of accelerated melting of glaciers due to an increase in air temperature led to an increase in natural disasters, and the degradation of the aquatic ecosystem. This phenomenon causes an annual economic project of destruction and causing considerable financial losses to the population of the country.

Emomali Rahmon said that «Disasters related to water this summer caused damage to the population and economy of the country hundreds of millions of dollars. Unfortunately, there were also many human victims. »

President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon expressed concern that the current situation of the environment in transboundary river basins may be more vulnerable because of the gradual population growth, the increasing demand of industrial development, further expansion of irrigated areas, degradation of irrigation systems, inefficient use of water resources, as well as lack of capacity to prevent and reduce the impact of natural disasters.

«In order to prevent the consequences of climate change and adaptation to this day the Government of Tajikistan has taken a number of practical measures to improve the legislation, public policy and the recommendations of the Summits of the parties to the Convention and continues cooperation in this direction with its international partners. Tajikistan is in the process of preparing a draft new agreement on climate change and actively cooperating with the Secretariat of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change. Our country submitted itThird National Report to the Convention Secretariat back in 2014. At this stage Tajikistan is developing national strategies for adapting to climate change, the adoption of which is expected in early 2016 «- said Emomali Rahmon.

«Our country — confers great importance to the efficient use of renewable energy sources, especially hydropower, which promotes social and economic development, adaptation to climate change and the formation of the «green economy». At the same time, the construction of hydropower facilities positively contributes to reducing risks of natural disasters related to water. Accordingly, the development of hydropower is considered to be among the priorities of the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan» added Emomali Rahmon

As well, to this end, the Republic of Tajikistan is currently in collaboration with its international partners, continues to work on repairing, upgrading and construction of hydroelectric power plants, as well as taking the necessary measures for the development of power lines within the country and in view of their connection to the external power lines. Considering the global importance of renewable energy, the Republic of Tajikistan is in the process of implementation of hydropower projects, with its huge water reserves, considers the establishment of a clear regional and international cooperation, taking into account economic, social and environmental characteristics of sustainable development of modern energy as an important factor in adaptation to climate change, — said Emomali Rahmon»

President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon expressed hope that given the importance of financing for climate change, in our view, to attract foreign investment for the development of hydropower in Tajikistan and creating favorable conditions for the exchange of renewable energy between the two countries could have a positive impact on the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in region.

«In this regard, Tajikistan is interested in the success of the Green Climate Fund to help combat the effects of climate change, Adaptation Fund and the establishment of cooperation in this direction,» — said Emomali Rahmon.

President Emomali Rahmon also spoke about the efficient use of water resources which are the most vulnerable to the climate change process, once again recalled its proposal made at the UN: «The new decade of Water for Sustainable Development, initiated by Tajikistan may be formed by the opportunities of cooperation in the direction of the intended use of water resources. Decisions of the Conference and the measures taken in the framework of a new international decade, may contribute to the overall objectives of climate protection, environmental protection and sustainable development. »

Head of Tajikistan, taking advantage of the favorable opportunity, once again stated that the international community, in order to establish a broad and comprehensive cooperation in the area of ​​reducing greenhouse gas emissions into the environment and climate change adaptation needs a document, acceptable by all stakeholders. According to the President of the Republic of Tajikistan, in this document, taking into account the influence of factors, first of all, should contain the mechanisms to limit greenhouse gas emissions and stimulate the subsequent mitigation. In this case, the regional nature of practical measures will be most conducive to the effect.

According to Emomali Rahmon, «The establishment of broad cooperation among countries and international institutions to continue the dialogue between the parties concerned, the development of renewable energy and the implementation of coordinated measures in the process of climate change are considered effective factors in achieving the true goals.»

Tajik President Emomali Rahmon at the same time stated that «resolution of the problems associated with the development of national networks of accounting greenhouse gas emissions, improving climate research, the introduction of green innovation and professional training of personnel has an important role in this process.»

Emomali Rahmon, with particular attention to environmental degradation in the Aral Sea, said: «The conservation and sustainable use of water resources, arable land and environmental sustainability require immediate action.»

President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon in conclusion of his speech expressed the hope that the developed countries, UN agencies, international and regional organizations, influential international financial institutions will continue to make efforts to cooperate to address the important issues of adaptation to climate change and reduce its tension and stressed that the solution of the existing problems in the field of reducing the negative impacts of climate change in the conditions of global development requires us to implement a collective effort, the implementation of urgent and long-term measures.