Dushanbe, 29.11.2016. /NIAT «Khovar»/. On November 29, the Founder of Peace and National Unity — Leader of the Nation, President of the Republic of Tajikistan, His Excellency Emomali Rahmon in the sidelines of the Budapest Water Summit attended and delivered a speech at the meeting of High Level Panel on Water.

President of the Republic of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon first of all extended his gratitude to the Government of Hungary and to the Leadership of this state for the excellent organization of Budapest Water Summit and the High-Level Panel on Water and pointed outwillingness and interest of the Tajik side in promoting and actively participating in an implementation of the High Level Panel on Water issues Action Plan,consisting of 9 priority goals and 48 objectives, which was adopted in September this year.

It was stressed that Tajikistan is a supporter and initiator of the International Decade «Water for Sustainable Development», which is included in the first task of the Plan, and a Draft Resolution on this topic is for the time being in the final stage of consideration by the UN General Assembly.

President Emomali Rahmon highlighted that all the priority themes and Action Plans are very useful, and it will lay down a reliable and solid platform for our enhanced cooperation and joint efforts among stakeholders to promote sustainable development goals and address other water related issues.

President of the Republic of Tajikistan also noted that other activities where Tajikistan plays an important role are associated with the establishment of partnerships and international cooperation aimed at reduction of the risks of natural disasters, mitigation of a climate change impact, promotion of access to safe drinking water and basic sanitation, improved environment, infrastructure and investment, water resources management, and, inter alia, the role of water resources in sustainable economy.

The Head of State also voiced effective proposals on the most important issues related to water issues, in particular investment and infrastructure.

In particular, it was emphasized that these two aspects are the key to addressing water challenges, it is especially important in the context of new threats and challenges, and primarily in terms of an impact of climate change and the growth of the population, causing, as it is known, on the one hand to the reduction in reserves of fresh water, on the other hand to the increased water consumption.

President Emomali Rahmon noted that in this context, support for initiatives to improve water sector financing, including through existing global funds like the Green Climate Fund, is essential and would be timely.

At the end of meaningful speech at the High-Level Panel on Water Issues, the Head of State Emomali Rahmon expressed the readiness of the Tajik side to implement the Action Plan and promote the goals and objectives of the High-Level Panel on Water at all levels, and expressed confidence that the development partners of Tajikistan will also assist in the implementation of these goals and objectives that require considerable financial and technical resources, as well as capacity building.