DUSHANBE, 29.03.2019. (NIAT Khovar) – The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Tajikistan Sirojiddin Muhriddin addressed the meeting on Climate and Sustainable Development for All on Thursday at the UN Headquarters in New York.

Muhriddin underscored the increasing impact of climate change on the environment and the socio-economic development in Tajikistan in particular, and in Central Asia generally.

“In the recent years Tajikistan has witnessed a significant increase in the number of natural disasters. The widespread use of renewable energy, mainly hydropower, contributes to the economic and social development of the country with the lowest emission levels,” noted Muhriddin.

“Over the past decades, significant shrinking of glaciers have been recorded in Tajikistan, which are the main source of freshwater in the region,” said Muhriddin.

“The countries of the region have to revise their programs and strategies towards more efficient water use and undertake joint measures to promote sustainable management of water resources,” mentioned Muhriddin, noting an increase in water consumption in the region due to the demographic growth.

Muhriddin informed the participants of the results of the event Interlinkages Between Water and Climate, which was initiated by the delegation of Tajikistan to the UN on March 27.