A regional conference of Central Asian countries on water management issues was held in Ashgabat, dedicated to Earth Defense Day. The event was held as part of the implementation of the Regional Project on Water Resources and Environment (WAVE), writes TDH.

The conference was attended by representatives of the water industry, ministries, departments and research organizations of Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, as well as delegates from international structures.

The agenda included an analysis of current reforms in the water sector of the countries of Central Asia, strategies for the development of the water sector, experience in implementing regional projects USAID, GIZ, UNDP aimed at rational water use and the introduction of modern technologies in this area.

Particular attention was paid to the UN General Assembly Resolution “Cooperation between the UN and the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea”, developed by Turkmenistan and adopted with the co-authorship of 19 countries, as an important tool for the implementation of international plans on water resources in Central Asia.

Turkmenistan has put forward a number of initiatives at major UN forums, IFAS summits, meetings of leaders of the Caspian states and the CIS, aimed at combining efforts to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.

Particular emphasis was placed on the need to use transboundary water resources in the region on the basis of international law, mutual respect and taking into account the interests of all countries.

Participants emphasized the key role of water resources for the sustainable development of Central Asia, the importance of transboundary water cooperation for achieving the SDGs, peace, stability and prosperity of the region. A readiness was expressed to give priority attention to water issues at the national and regional levels and to strengthen multilateral cooperation.

In the afternoon, the 3rd Regional Decision Making Meeting in the Amu Darya Basin was held in a hybrid format, where the results and possibilities of a joint approach were discussed.

Also within the framework of the event, the 6th meeting of the Regional Coordination Committee was held.