International Conference on Water Related Disaster Reduction

On June 28, 2008 a special section “Reduction of water related disasters in the Aral Sea basin” was held within the framework of the International Conference on Water Related Disaster Reduction.

The session was initiated by the Executive Committee of the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea.

The session gathered representative of IFAS founder countries, heads and representatives of IFAS units, international and regional organizations, research and financial institutions, civil-based organizations and mass media.

The session was chaired by Mr. Sulton Rakhimov, Chairman a.i., IFAS Executive Committee. In his opening speech Mr. Sulton Rahimov emphasized three major water related disasters, particularly desiccation of the Aral Sea, water inrush from the Sarez lake and glacier melting in the area of river heads. Mitigation and overcoming these crises calls for mobilization of efforts made by all development partners and more coordinated cooperation among the Central Asian States.

The session covered issues of challenges in the basin of the Aral Sea, impact of the climate change, prospects of land and water related problems in the Central Asia, establishment of interstate system of early detection on transboundary water facilities and waterworks, increasing flow caused by intensified glacier melting, sustainability of mountain lakes in the Central Asia, etc.

During the discussions the conference participants noticed that the Aral Sea disaster and ongoing climate change increase challenges to sustainable water use, cause problems related to droughts, floods, mudflows, threat of water inrush from the lakes. Being transboundary these risks and challenges require expanding cooperation between the Central Asian states and UN agencies focusing on water management and disaster reduction issues.

Source: UzReport