Kanat Bozumbayev, Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Kazakhstan, addressed the third international conference on the International Decade of Action "Water for Sustainable Development, 2018-2028" in Dushanbe, Tajikistan. 

The high-level event was organised by the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan. It was attended by representatives of UN Member States, international organisations and civil society. 

The Dushanbe Water Process is a platform for developing new solutions to global water challenges related to climate change, shared water management and implementation of intergovernmental agreements. 

In his speech, Deputy Prime Minister emphasised that Kazakhstan fully supports global initiatives to overcome the consequences of climate change, as well as Tajikistan's efforts to draw the attention of the world community to the issues of rational use of water resources. 

Today, Kazakhstan's water policy is aimed at modernising and developing water infrastructure, improving information systems and regulatory framework, and strengthening transboundary cooperation. 

Kanat Bozumbayev noted the need to develop a further strategy of cooperation on transboundary water management in Central Asia. 

"The problems of climate impact on water resources have no boundaries. Responses to climate change and water scarcity require cooperation between all countries, mobilisation of all possible forces and means. Kazakhstan is a country that shares almost half of its hydro resources with its neighbours. And for us co-operation on transboundary watercourses is important in the context of ensuring effective water management and protection of ecosystems," the Deputy Prime Minister said.

The ecological situation in the Aral Sea is of particular concern. The formation of 5.5 million hectares of deserts has a negative impact on human health and the state of ecosystems throughout the region. 

"These challenges together with the growing demand for water, energy and food resources require taking decisive measures to ensure rational water use in the Aral Sea basin. In this regard, it is important to preserve and restore natural water bodies by implementing such effective measures as preservation of the Kokaral Dam and restoration of the Syrdarya River delta," the Deputy Prime Minister noted. 

Within the framework of the Dushanbe Water Process Kanat Bozumbayev met with Deputy Prime Minister of Tajikistan Sulaimon Ziyozoda, Assistant to the President of Russia, Special Representative on Climate Issues Ruslan Edelgeriev, Advisor to the President of Uzbekistan Shukhrat Ganiev, as well as Special Representative of the European Union for Central Asia Teri Hakala.

#International Cooperation #Kanat Bozumbayev #water resources