The IFAS BOARD MEETING
The IFAS Board meeting was held on June 5, 2023 in Dushanbe.
The meeting was attended by the members of the IFAS Board - First Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Roman Sklyar; Advisor to the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Shukhrat Ganiev; Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of Turkmenistan, Annageldi Yazmyradov - and other government officials from the IFAS founder states, members of the IFAS Executive Committee, representatives of Central Asian embassies based in Tajikistan, as well as representatives of IFAS structural divisions.
Prior to the meeting, members of the IFAS Board met with Emomali Rahmon, President of the Republic of Tajikistan and of the International Fund for saving the Aral Sea.
The Leader of the Nation greeted and congratulated participants on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the IFAS. He underlined that over the past period of time the Fund clearly demonstrated its relevance as an organization designed to resolve complex environmental and socio-economic issues.
The Head of State noted the Board’s contribution to the development of interstate relations in the region and emphasized the importance of decisions made by the Board on strengthening cooperation between the countries in order to address the most pressing water and environmental problems.
In his speech, Emomali Rahmon made recommendations and shared his thoughts on Tajikistan's global efforts and initiatives aimed at solving issues related to water, climate and glacier preservation, including adoption by the UN General Assembly of a resolution declaring 2025 the “International Year of Glaciers’ Preservation” regional population growth, external impacts on national economies, efficient water use, etc. He proposed to strengthen cooperation on water, particularly in agriculture, water-saving technologies and irrigation methods, as well as coordination and interactions in this area.
The media briefing followed the meeting.
According to the First Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Roman Sklyar, today they reviewed a number of important issues and made consolidated decisions.
"I would like to especially note that during the presidency of the Republic of Tajikistan in the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea a number of important decisions were taken. In particular, the IFAS became an observer at the UN General Assembly. This proves the high status of our organization," said Roman Sklyar.
As he says, at a later stage, the presidency of the IFAS passes from the Republic of Tajikistan to the Republic of Kazakhstan. "We, taking the baton, will take measures to ensure that all mechanisms and institutions of the IFAS work effectively. Today, we, the heads of country committees reported to the President of the Republic of Tajikistan, esteemed Emomali Rahmon on the current activities that unite us. In particular, Kazakhstan is interested in stable operation of Tajikistan's hydropower so that our agricultural producers receive the needed quantities of water. Bilateral relations between the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Republic of Tajikistan are at a very high level. We see progress in all areas," said the First Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
"Today we have had a meeting with the President of the Republic of Tajikistan. We discussed the issues that were considered at the Board meeting and the matters related to the use of transboundary rivers by the Central Asian countries. The importance of efficient water use for prosperity and progress in the Central Asian region was well recognized," noted Annageldi Yazmyradov, Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of Turkmenistan.
"We thank our Tajik colleagues for hospitality. Today, members of the IFAS Board have reviewed the issues that are on the agenda. They acknowledged huge and fruitful efforts of the IFAS Organizing Committee under the Chairmanship of the Republic of Tajikistan. We came to a consensus that in the future we will strengthen activities of our organization and cooperation between the countries will be even more fruitful. All items on the agenda today have been approved by the President of the Republic of Tajikistan, esteemed Emomali Rahmon," said Shukhrat Ganiev, Advisor to the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan.
The meeting concluded with the signing ceremony for 8 Board’s decisions on the following:
- preparation for the meeting of the Council of Heads of IFAS founder states to be held in Dushanbe, Republic of Tajikistan on 14-15 September 2023;
- implementation of the Plan of activities for preparation and celebration of the 30th anniversary of the IFAS;
- implementation of the Aral Sea Basin Program (ASBP-4);
- activities of the Working Group on institutional and legal improvement of the IFAS;
- activities of the IFAS Executive Committee in 2022;
- participation at the UN Conference on the mid-term comprehensive review of the implementation of the International Decade for Action "Water for Sustainable Development, 2018-2028". (22-24 March 2023, New York, USA);
- implementation of modern water accounting and monitoring facilities in the Amu Darya and Syr Darya River Basins;
- agenda of the next meeting of the IFAS Board.
Source: National Information Agency of Tajikistan "Khovar"
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