GISIG GENERAL ASSEMBLY
19-21 November 2007
On the occasion of the reorganization of Techware (TECHnology for WAter REsources) and its amalgamation with the GISIG (Geographic Information Systems International Group, Genoa, Italy, www.gisig.it), Director of SIC ICWC Prof. V.A. Dukhovny, as a member of the Techware Board, attended the GISIG General Assembly.
The Assembly brought together more than 100 participants from different countries of Europe, Asia and Africa. It was dedicated to the theme on “Future perspectives of GI for integrated coastal management”. At the Assembly, a number of presentations were made, which identified common interests of GISIG with representatives from Central Asia; based on the discussion results, negotiations were conducted with the Head of GISIG, Director of General Council regarding cooperation and development of activities for water technologies and use of GIS that will be reflected in a Memorandum of Cooperation being prepared. In particular, the following were noted:
- joining of SIC ICWC as an associated member to the VESTA project in regard to the promotion of electronic communication in Central Asia and the use of materials of GISIG in Central Asia;
- participation in electronic conferences ECO IMAGINE dedicated to promoting the use of GIS in the region;
- view exchange with the ICCOPS project in regard to constructing scenarios for future development;
- participation of representatives from Central Asia in trainings and conferences held by GISIG.
MEETING OF THE TASK FORCE ON WATER AND CLIMATE OF
THE CONVENTION ON THE PROTECTION AND USE OF TRANSBOUNDARY WATERCOURSES
AND INTERNATIONAL LAKES
22-24 November 2007
The Commission for the Convention on the Protection and Use of Transboundary Watercourses and International Lakes together with the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) and the federal Ministry of the Environment and Natural Resources of Germany organized a Meeting of the Task Force on Water and Climate in Bonn. The meeting was attended by a delegation from Central Asia, including: Director of SIC ICWC Prof. V.A. Dukhovny; representative of Kyrgyzstan T. Neronova, Deputy Director of the Department for State Environmental Control at the State Agency for the Environment, representative of Uzbekistan – senior researcher of UzHydrometcenter N. Agaltseva.
The Task Force noted that the beginning of the 21st century has been marked by a great growth in the number and frequency of extreme phenomena and a drastic impact of climate change on weather and especially water conditions. As a result, losses from these phenomena and costs of measures for prevention of negative consequences have increased sharply. It is significant that, for example, the Netherlands spends 1-2 billion euros a year for these purposes; it is assumed that in future this cost would be from 0.25 to 0.46% of the national income. It is very important, keeping in mind that the climate change will impact upon water security towards increase for 1/6 of the world population in the coming 20 years. The rise in sea level and frequency of floods and droughts represents a great danger. Losses from the Katrina typhoon in the USA amounting to more than US$125 billion are indicative!
The leader of the Task Force “Extreme Phenomena and Health” L. Sinisi cited figures demonstrating that though more than 20 billion euros were allocated by the European Union to this problem, the number of victims of extreme situations such as floods and droughts in Europe was failed to reduce.
At the request of the meeting chairman, N. Agaltseva and Prof. V.A. Dukhovny made a presentation on prediction of climate change and impact on water resources in Central Asia as well as on measures for possible adaptation, part of which is being implemented within the framework of ICWC.
The meeting laid down and agreed a questionnaire on gathering information and advanced experience of countries regarding implemented and planned measures, and needs of countries owing to climate change. Draft guidance for water resources and climate adaptation was considered and dates of its preparation and discussion were set.
VISIT OF THE AMBASSADOR OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY TO SIC ICWC
Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to Uzbekistan H.E. Mr. Matthias Meyer visited SIC ICWC on 29 November 2007, at the invitation of Director Prof. V.A. Dukhovny.
Director Prof. V.A. Dukhovny, Deputy Director V.I. Sokolov, Director of ICWC Training Center P.D. Umarov, leading specialists of SIC such as A.G. Sorokin, A.I. Tuchin, I.F. Beglov, D.A. Sorokin and others took part in the meeting.
Mr. Meyer was familiarized in detail with activities of SIC ICWC related to the implementation of integrated water resources management in the region, development of the information system on water and land resources management in the Aral Sea basin. At the meeting, the results of the Aral Sea degradation process modeling as well as of the project for study of the dried Aral Sea bed implemented by SIC together with GTZ were presented.
CAWATER-INFO PORTAL NEWS
The team of the CAWater-Info Portal permanently works on upgrading the portal and enhancing its information scope and scale.
A new section “Analysis of the water situation in the Amudarya and Syrdarya river basins” launched on the portal provides necessary analytical information on the water situation in the Amudarya and Syrdarya river basins per ten-day period.
This information will also be available soon in English.
More information at: www.cawater-info.net/analysis/water/
The Knowledge Base “International and National Water Law” contains generalized data on international water law and national water law of Central Asian states.
More information at: www.cawater-info.net/bk/water_law/
FIRST ASIA-PACIFIC WATER SUMMIT OPENED IN JAPAN
The First Asia-Pacific Water Summit was opened today in Beppu, Japan.
It brings together representatives from about 40 of invited 49 states in the Asia-Pacific region, and representatives from leading organizations and stakeholders.
According to the adopted Concept of the APWF Summit, its main objective is to provide an opportunity for political leaders in the region to more deeply realize the significance of water-related problems in the region for achievement of the UN Millennium Development Goals and organize a dialogue with all stakeholders on these problems during the summit in order to formulate this significance in form of specific actions for each country.
During two days, about 300 delegates to the forum will exchange opinions on water supply problems, including sanitation and infrastructure improvement.
The meeting is attended by several Heads of states and governments including President of Tajikistan Emomali Rakhmon and high-ranking representatives of Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan. Japan’s Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda and Crown Prince Naruhito welcomed the forum participants, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon called them through satellite for productive work.
Source: ASIA-Plus
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