Dushanbe, 09.08.2016. /NIAT “Khovar”/. “Tajikistan, where almost 60% of Central Asia’s water resources get accumulated, is also affected by the negative impact of climate change”, — the Founder of Peace and National Unity – Leader of the Nation, President of the Republic of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon stated at the opening ceremony of the High-Level Symposium on SDG 6 and Targets: Ensuring that No One is Left Behind in Access to Water and Sanitation.

According to him, almost, 30% of Tajikistan’s glaciers have melted during the last ten years, and this trend is continuing.

“In this period, only the Fedchenko glacier, the biggest continental glacier in Tajikistan has reduced by 2 cubic kilometers. At the same time, this year due to the low water season in the main rivers of the region, including in Amudarya and Sirdarya, it is expected that water accumulation will reduce by 30%, and this situation will affect the water supply process in the countries of the region”, — said Leader of the Nation.

Emomali Rahmon, President of Tajikistan expressed concern that «with regard to the impact of climate change, the frequency of water related natural disasters in Tajikistan has increased over the recent years, which annually causes significant financial loss and casualties». He has stressed that natural disasters cause unexpected loss to the country’s economy and create barriers against our efforts in ensuring socio-economic sustainable development.

Head of State has also added that: “Thus, growing demand in water may lead to serious challenges in relations between various sectors of economy, which in its term, can lead to serious negative consequences even within one country”.

In this regard, the President of Tajikistan urged the countries of the region to introduce specific regional programs on regional water resources management based on equality and mutual understanding.