On April 22, the President of the Republic of Tajikistan, Leader of the Nation, Honorable Emomali Rahmon, attended and addressed the meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea in Astana.

It was emphasized that, since the Fund’s inception, Tajikistan has viewed it as an important mechanism for multilateral cooperation among countries in the region on water management and environmental issues.

Emomali Rahmon noted that major environmental crises in the region, including the Aral Sea tragedy, require further joint action.

It was pointed out that over the past period, we have succeeded in creating a platform within the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea for open discussion of issues related to the Aral Sea problem and drawing the attention of the international community to it.

Furthermore, it was stressed that, through joint efforts and with the support of international partners, numerous regional projects and programs on water resource management and environmental protection have been implemented in our countries.

President Emomali Rahmon highlighted the serious environmental threats and challenges in the region, citing rapid glacier melting, ecosystem degradation, and various water-related natural disasters. He particularly mentioned the prolonged dust storms, which have become extremely common in recent years.

It was noted that dust storms negatively impact glaciers—the main source of drinking water—as well as public health and agricultural land—the main source of income for most of the region’s population.

In this regard, a call was made for joint, decisive action to overcome the negative consequences of these phenomena.

«Tajikistan, which accounts for up to 60 percent of the region’s river runoff, the main source of freshwater, is acutely experiencing the consequences of these cataclysms,» — noted President Emomali Rahmon.

It was emphasized that rapid population growth and increasing water consumption across all sectors of the economy, coupled with climate change, are placing significant strain on water resources. This directly impacts energy, food, and environmental stability in the region.

Emomali Rahmon called for prioritizing the effective use of existing cooperation mechanisms on water resources in Central Asia under these circumstances.

The Head of our state noted the importance of adapting the Fund to current realities to strengthen and develop regional cooperation in the Aral Sea basin.

It was stressed that Tajikistan consistently advocates for improving the Fund’s organizational structure and legal framework to make its activities more effective.

Emomali Rahmon, the President of our country, proposed creating an Interstate Energy Commission of Central Asia within the framework of the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea.

As noted, water issues remain a priority and highly sensitive issue worldwide.

Emomali Rahmon pointed out that the Central Asian region and the cooperation mechanisms we have created demonstrate a positive example of the shared use of water resources.

«In light of the above-mentioned challenges and the development of new technologies, we must strengthen measures for the integrated and rational use and protection of water resources,» — emphasized President Emomali Rahmon.

In this regard, priority tasks included accelerating the implementation of new water- and energy-saving technologies in agriculture, utilities, and industry, training a new generation of specialists, expanding academic exchange, and conducting joint scientific and practical research on climate change and the rational use of water resources.

In his speech, Emomali Rahmon recalled the progress of the global water agenda and emphasized that this year, at the end of May, Dushanbe will host the Fourth International High-Level Conference within the framework of the Decade of Action, «Water for Sustainable Development, 2018–2028,» on the implementation of Tajikistan’s initiatives in the water sector.

Concluding his address, President Emomali Rahmon invited the heads of delegations participating in the meeting to visit Tajikistan and participate in this high-level conference.