— As you know, Kyrgyzstan has suspended its activities in the Fund. This is the sovereign right of the Kyrgyz state, and Kazakhstan respects it. At the same time, Kazakhstan highly values the development of contacts with Kyrgyzstan at the working level between departments and is ready for further joint work. Let me emphasize: the experience of Kyrgyzstan is extremely important for the sustainable development of all of Central Asia. Therefore, we believe that sooner or later the presence of Kyrgyzstan in IFAS will be restored. In any case, we would be happy about it. To strengthen the role of the Fund in our region, it is proposed to integrate water issues into the agenda of other formats of our multilateral interaction, including Consultative meetings,” said Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.
Along with this, the President pointed out the importance of strengthening joint work with international organizations, donors and financial institutions for additional funding of popular projects.
— Today, at the plenary meeting of the Regional Environmental Summit, I once again raised the initiative to create an International Water Organization within the UN as its specialized institute. The formation of such a structure is the call of the times. This is recognized in the international water community. It will help consolidate the efforts of the world community in ensuring water security in the region. There will be no harm from such an organization working within the UN mandate to any country, especially to the states of Central Asia. Therefore, I again appeal to you to support this initiative, which could be presented at the UN as a common initiative of all Central Asian countries. In this case, it would be possible to propose placing separate segments of UN Water in a number of capitals of Central Asian states. In addition, in order to attract additional attention of the world community to the issues of preserving the Aral water system, it is proposed to jointly take the initiative to establish the International Day of the Aral Sea, the Amu Darya and Syr Darya rivers under the auspices of the United Nations. All the proposals I have made correspond to our common interests; they do not contain political populism and, especially, a second bottom,” the Head of State noted.
In conclusion, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev emphasized that the fate of the Aral Sea is not only a huge environmental challenge for the states of the region, but also a kind of public test to act together to achieve specific practical results.
— The future of our region depends solely on us — on trusting dialogue and close cooperation between our countries. I appeal to my respected fellow presidents, dear brothers. You are all competent and experienced people, you understand well the importance of the water issue. There will be no water in the region, there will be no Central Asian states here, if there is water, the life of our youth will become better and brighter. As they say, water is life. I am confident that the current summit will give a powerful impetus to the activities of the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea and will become the starting point of a new stage of regional cooperation for the benefit of our peoples,” said the President of Kazakhstan.
During the meeting of the Council of Heads of State – founders of the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea, President of Kyrgyzstan Sadyr Japarov, President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon, President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov, President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev, Chairman of the Executive Committee of the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea Askhat Orazbay also spoke.
President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev spent meeting of the Council of Heads of State – founders of the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea. Previously in Akorda profits participants of the meeting.
The head of state said that Kazakhstan and WHO developed A roadmap to improve the well-being of residents of the Aral Sea region.
Also Kassym-Jomart Tokayev stopped on the positive results of joint efforts to restore the ecosystem of the Northern Aral, calling consider water issues as a common topical topic for the countries of the region, with broad international implications.
