Tajik minister for advancing water resources to achieve sustainable development

ISLAMABAD: Dr Nizomuddin Zohidi, First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Republic of Tajikistan has said that achievement in sustainable development are possible only by building effective cooperation through mutual trust and involvement of all stakeholders.

Dr Zohidi was addressing a seminar on “The International Decade for Action: Water for Sustainable Development 2018-2028”, organised by Institute of Strategic Studies here on Thursday.

Dr Zohidi referring to the project on Water for Sustainable Development 2018-2028 launched by President Emomali Rahmon in Tajikistan said that it will increase capacity development and will contribute to a smooth transition of the Sustainable Development Goals. He said that climate change, population growth and increase in demand for water resources, means of implementation particularly human and financial resources, cooperation in the field of education and culture and trans-boundary component of water cooperation are central to ensuring peace and stability.

Tajik Ambassador Sherali Jononov said that his country is one of the leaders in advancing water resources at an international level and aims at using its water resources to not only meet national needs but also to create regional balance. He referred to hydropower development both through building hydropower development and through water reservoirs for storage purposes. Water, he said, is a key element not only for social development, but also for ensuring peace, stability and development.

Ghafurzoda Taghaimurod, Head of Department of Water Resource, Ministry of Energy & Water Resources, Tajikistan, said that water is a strategic resource of Tajikistan and is the basis of social and economic development and even national security, which is why the country is trying to find a good position on the international scene in addressing one of the key issues of global warming.

Muhammad Ashraf, Chairperson, Pakistan Council of Research in Water Resources, said that water, food and energy are three important components for development. He said that Pakistan is only storing 10 per cent of its waters and with the increase in population and consequent agricultural activities, there is huge pressure on the ground water. The way forward includes increasing storage through construction of dams, introducing a ground water regulatory framework and controlling population. Hence, Pakistan needs to change its priorities and coupled with political will, water crisis can be avoided altogether, he concluded.

Babur Suhail, Vice-President Centre for Global & Strategic Studies said that if water is the present then its conservation is the future and the government should announce ancillary policies to its existing ones. He said that existing legislature needs to be implemented and all stakeholders need to be engaged for a more transparent decision-making process. He said that being a lower riparian nation, Pakistan needs to focus on out-of-box water storage policies to be implemented at all levels. Earlier, Ambassador Khalid Mahmood, Chairperson ISS welcomed the participants.