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MR EMOMALI RAHMON, PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF TAJIKISTAN
Over the past two decades humanity has made considerable progress in providing access to fresh water and
sanitation, in managing water resources and establishing partnerships in these areas. However, in some parts
of the world people do not yet have access to safe drinking water and sanitation. Moreover, climate change,
increases in water consumption in various economic sectors (primarily in agriculture) and many other factors
create additional difficulties for developing a complex approach towards the solution of water-related problems.
Under the current circumstances an urgent need has emerged to undertake coordinated and concerted actions
for strengthening water partnership and dialogue. Tajikistan was guided by this particular consideration when, in
2010, it put forward the initiative to declare 2013 as the International Year of Water Cooperation (IYWC).
This year the international community has been actively involved in a multilateral process for the
implementation of the decisions made by the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development in
Rio in 2012. It is impossible to attain sustainable development without giving comprehensive consideration
to the water component in the sustainable development goals. Integrated and effective management of water
resources, based on rational and wise policy reinforced by the required human and financial resources, can
provide a foundation for achieving sustainable and equal access to safe drinking water and sanitation.
When initiating the IYWC, my country proceeded from the assumption that the year 2013 will make an
additional contribution to the implementation of the International Decade for Action ‘Water for Life’ 2005-
2015. The end of the Water Decade is at hand, and so is the timeframe identified for the implementation
of the millennium development goals (MDGs). We are convinced that the IYWC will provide a unique
opportunity for discussing the existing problems and drawbacks, as well as for enhancing the efforts
towards a timely and complete achievement of the MDGs.
It is known that with population growth and economic development, the demand on water increases; so
does competition among the economic sectors for water resources. The transboundary component of the
water agenda is a serious issue that demands urgent and adequate measures. Lack of adequate cooperation
in the basins of transboundary rivers entails serious risks and losses. There is no doubt that development of
water cooperation at the transboundary level promotes the solution of these issues and contributes to the
achievement of peace and security.
The implementation of the IYWC also provides a good opportunity to reconsider our attitude towards
water resources, and to focus on establishing sustainable water partnership and dialogue, and on enhancing
the means and ways of water diplomacy. The full range of these and other issues was considered at the
International High-Level Conference on Water Cooperation in Dushanbe on 20-22 August. We hope that
all the parties concerned will take an active part in inplementation of the IYWC.
Mr Emomali Rahmon
President of the Republic of Tajikistan