VII World Water Forum

The delegation of Uzbekistan also participating in the work of the forum.

The Deputy Minister of agriculture and water resources of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Khamraev made a speech at the ministerial round table in the framework of the forum.

The press service of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Uzbekistan provided the full text of the speech of the Deputy Minister:

Dear Chairman!

Dear members of the round table, dear colleagues!

Uzbekistan pays priority attention to the issues of sustainable water management and ecosystem conservation. Proof of this is being implemented in our country Program of actions on environmental protection for 2013-2017. On the implementation of this Program, which is aimed at further ensuring a favourable state of the environment, rational use of natural resources, implementation of environmental pillars of sustainable development in sectors of the economy, the government allocated more than $2 billion.

One of the largest in the recent history of global environmental disasters is the destruction of the Aral sea. Every year it becomes obvious that the problem of drying of the Aral sea and the environmental-ecological, socio-humanitarian situation, the gene pool, population health gains destructive and irreparable nature.

In 2011, the Heads of Central Asian countries agreed the third phase of the Program of action for assistance to the Aral sea region in the framework of IFAS. Currently Uzbekistan is the Chairman of this fund.

The action plan provides the implementation of projects in the field of water resources management, improvement of ameliorative condition of irrigated lands, improvement of the quality of health services, development of community water supplies, creation of jobs, development of transport infrastructure, desertification control and environmental protection, restoration of biodiversity, flora and fauna, implementation of alternative energy sources. In total, to the implementation of over 300 projects planned to allocate about $8.5 billion.

Identifying further ways to solve the problems of the Aral sea, we are well aware that restoring the sea to its former borders is not possible. This process has gone so far that it cannot be reversed. The process of dealing with these problems is very difficult.

Today, we’re not talking about saving the Aral sea, but how to stop those negative trends that could lead to irreversible changes in the lives of people living in the region. The task is "not to save water”, but to solve the problems of rehabilitation of the Aral sea region, of the health and gene pool of the population, restoration and protection of ecosystems, creation of all necessary conditions for living a decent life here and in close proximity of more than 60 million people.

The main reserves are in the following areas:

Firstly, maintaining the current fragile ecological and water balance of the Aral sea, desertification, improving the system of management, rational use and conservation of water resources.

Secondly, the creation of conditions for the reproduction and preservation of the gene pool and health of the population of the Aral sea region, development of social infrastructure, a wide network of medical and educational institutions.

Thirdly, the development of necessary social and economic mechanisms and incentives to improve the quality and living standards of the population, the improvement of basic infrastructure and communications. The most important task is the creation for the population of the Aral area opportunities for a decent living, business development, creation of new jobs and sources of income.

Fourthly, preservation and restoration of biodiversity of flora and fauna, including through the establishment of local water bodies, preservation of the unique flora and fauna of the region, the realization of forest plantations on the dried bottom of the Aral sea in order to secure the driving sands and the prevention of salt - and dust drift.

Fifthly, further institutional strengthening and strengthening cooperation between countries in the region in the framework of the International Fund for saving the Aral sea and to consolidate the efforts of the international community, financial institutions and donors for the implementation of programs and projects in the Aral sea region.

Exactly these key issues are in the focus of attention proposed by the President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov at the UN "Program of measures on liquidation of consequences of the drying up of the Aral sea and averting the catastrophe of ecosystems in the Aral sea region", which was circulated as an official document of the 68th session of the UN General Assembly. We are grateful to the UN agencies, international financial institutions and donors that have assisted in addressing the Aral sea crisis. This is a huge support, which gives us confidence that the region will not remain alone in fighting this global disaster.

However, the scale of the challenges related to the Aral disaster, dictates the need for more effective coordination, pooling of resources at national, regional and international levels to prevent even greater disaster in the territory.

I turn to you - my colleagues, urging necessarily show in the Ministerial Declaration of the 7th World Water Forum the fact that the decision of problems of Aral sea basin through sustainable water management is a universal human response to global challenges in relation to the ongoing negative pressure on ecosystems.

Thank you for your attention and support!

IA "Jahon"