News: April 2009

Source: CA-NEWS, 29.04.2009

President Islam Karimov is taking part in the Summit of the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea today in Almaty, reported the president's press office.

The Central Asian Presidents will discuss water relations in the regions, activities and establishment of new charter bodies of the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea.

The UN General Assembly adopted the resolution last December giving an observer status to the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea.

The Central Asian countries elected Kazakhstan as presiding country in the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea from 2009 to 2011.

The International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea was established in 1993 by the decision of the Central Asian states in order to finance joint actions and programs saving the Aral Sea, environmental recovery of the Aral Sea basin. The Fund was established by Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.

Source: CA-NEWS, 29.04.2009

President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon is taking part in the Summit of the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea in Almaty today. The President is joined on this visit by his Adviser for Foreign Policy Erkin Rakhmatullaev, Foreign Minister Hamrohon Zarifi, Minister of Water Resources Saidi Yokubzod, Environmental Protection Committee Chair Hursandmurod Zokirov and other officials, reported president's press office.

The First Deputy Foreign Minister told news conference in Dushanbe on April 17 that Tajikistan would firmly defend its stances regarding water energy issues at the Central Asian Summit of the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea.

“All Central Asian nations should benefit from water. We will defend our national interests without prejudice to interests of the neighboring countries. We assure that Tajikistan will never release water less than usual,” he declared.

The UN General Assembly adopted the resolution last December giving an observer status to the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea.

The Central Asian countries elected Kazakhstan as presiding country in the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea from 2009 to 2011.

The International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea was established in 1993 by the decision of the Central Asian states in order to finance joint actions and programs saving the Aral Sea, environmental recovery of the Aral Sea basin. The Fund was established by Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.

Source: CA-NEWS, 29.04.2009

The extended session of the Summit of the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea opened in Almaty.

The meeting of the Central Asian Presidents in private lasted one hour longer than planned. The details of the meeting in private are unknown yet, the media representatives were not allowed to attend the meeting.

The Summit will address the issues related to activities of the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea, establishment of new charter bodies, expansion of cooperation with international organizations, financial institutions and donors.

The Presidents of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan, as well as UN Secretary-General's Special Representative Miroslav Jenca are taking part in the Summit.

Source: CA-NEWS, 29.04.2009

The Governmental Newspaper of Uzbekistan “Pravda Vostoka” published a letter of World Bank President Robert Zoellick on April 23 concerning construction of Rogun hydroelectric power station in Tajikistan and the research carried out by the World Bank addressed to the President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov:

To His Excellency Islam Karimov, the President of Uzbekistan
Tashkent, Uzbekistan

Dear Mr. President,

Let me thank You for the fruitful negotiations with the World Bank delegation during the recent visit of Mr. Shigeo Katsu to Uzbekistan, as well as your subsequent letter dated March 3, 2009.

The World Bank recognizes the fact the water-energy sector is a crucial issue for the economies and living standards of Central Asian states. Long-term regional stability and prospects for future economic growth of all Central Asian countries are heavily dependent on the success regional cooperation and respect for all the national strategic interests.

In response to requests of the Central Asian governments, including Your government, the World Bank Group is actively engaged in dialogue with the five Central Asian countries on water and energy issues. In its work the World Bank Group operates in full compliance with the Resolution of the UN General Assembly dated December 19, 2008.

"A reliable and stable energy transit and its role in sustainable development and international cooperation” is in the best interests of all member countries and has the highest degree of vigilance in the application of its rules and procedures.

In recent years, the World Bank Group has contributed to several energy and water projects and researches in Central Asia, which in their turn contributed to the development of strategic vision for energy in the Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation (CAREC), endorsed by all countries at the Ministerial Conference held in November 2008 in Baku. Based on this concept, the World Bank Group believes that it is very important to evaluate all existing and potential regional energy resources, including water and heat energy, renewable energy and other resources. We would like to propose a number of progressive measures that will ensure appropriate attention and proper balance between the acute energy needs of countries of the upper reaches in winter, and the ecological and hydrological needs of countries in the lower reaches of transboundary rivers in the summer time.

In respect to the Rogun hydroelectric power station construction project proposed by the Government of Tajikistan, I would like to clarify that the World Bank undertook responsibility to carry out preliminary study, paying a close attention to assessment of potential regional impacts.

These studies will determine the technical, economic and financial viability of the proposed project, as well as its potential environmental and social impacts in light of the international agreements on the use of transboundary water resources.

In this regard, I have taken into account and share Your concern regarding the delicate ecological balance of the region, and absolute necessity to ensure that the hydropower potential will not lead to a reduction of runoff water volume in states of the lower reaches, as well as the need to consider design of new buildings in seismic zones.

These arguments are clearly important, and I would like to reiterate the assurance of Mr. Katsu that the World Bank Group will ensure that these issues will be thoroughly analyzed as an integral part of technical assessment. In addition, the results of these studies will be available for all interested countries and will be discussed to achieve common understanding to take an appropriate approaches in construction of such facilities.

All issues raised by You will be included in the Terms of References of the research. The research will be conducted by the internationally recognized consulting companies, that will be hired according to the World Bank procedures.

According to the internal procedures the bank will establish an international commission comprised of independent experts who will give an independent opinion on the research results.

To ensure transparency and taking into account the concerns of all stakeholders, the World Bank will continue consultations with all interested countries during the 2009-2010 as the research results are prepared and reviewed by the International Commission of Independent Experts, as well as concerned countries.

In case if all parties agree to completely remove their concerns and recognize usefulness and benefits of investment into projects, such as the Rogun hydroelectric power station, I would welcome the opportunity and interest of Uzbekistan to participate in such investments.

As you noted in Your letter, there are various opportunities for the development of the Central Asian energy export capacities. Our goal is to cooperate with Central Asian governments to develop technically, financially and environmentally sustainable investment sequence. We would like to discuss with You the approaches to solve the acute short-term energy problems faced by your neighbors.

We are very interested in further cooperation with Uzbekistan.

Best regards,

Robert Zoellick,
World Bank President

April 15, 2009

Source: CA-NEWS, 29.04.2009

Kazakhstan is not planning to seize the Aral Sea recovery operations despite the world economic crisis, Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbaev said at the summit of the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea in Almaty on April 28, Aki-press-Kazakhstan reported.

"I want to assure that despite the world economic crisis, Kazakhstan is not planning to stop working at the Aral Sea," Nazarbaev said.

The President reminded that Aral Sea Basin Programs are being implemented, which are actively supported by the World and Asian Bank, EU. Programs to attract donors are also being implemented.

"Under the Northern Aral Sea project worth US$86 million, the World Bank has helped build the eight-mile Kok-Aral Dam, completed in August 2005. The bank's loan amounted to US$64 million. In regard to Syrdarya, reconstruction of dam and construction of several water development facilities river have been completed in Kazakhstan last year," Nazarbaev noted.

"We are planning to realize 8 Aral Sea Basin Project components worth US$191 million, which include construction of facilities at Sary Shagan Zaliv worth US$82 million," the President said.

Source: CA-NEWS, 29.04.2009

Heads of the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea state members delivered development of a new assistance program for the local population of Aral Sea area into the charge of the IFAS Executive Committee on April 28.

The Committee is responsible for development of the population assistance program and for undertaking all necessary measures to activate cooperation with international organizations and fund attraction, Interfax-Kazakhstan reported with reference to the President's service.

Two Aral Sea Basin Programs have been implemented since the IFAS was established. The main objectives of the programs include stabilizing the environment of the Aral Sea Basin, improving management of land and water resources in the basin.

The International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea was established in 1993 by the decision of the Central Asian states in order to finance joint actions and programs saving the Aral Sea, environmental recovery of the Aral Sea basin. The Fund was established by Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.

IFAS has been granted observer status by a United Nations General Assembly Resolution on December 2008.

Kazakhstan chairs the IFAS in 2009-2011.

Heads of all five member states take part in the summit: Kazakhstan - Nursultan Nazarbaev, Uzbekistan - Islam Karimov, Kyrgyzstan - Kurmanbek Bakiev, Turkmenistan - Kurbanguly Berdymukhamedov, Tajikistan - Imomali Rahmon.

International organizations such as World Bank, Asian Development Bank, UNDP, United Nations Economic Commission for Europe and UN Development Program/Global Ecological Fund (UNDP/GEF). The organizations invested US$325 million into the development and implementation of the the Aral Sea Basin Program.

The Aral Sea basin includes the basins of the Syr Darya and Amu Darya rivers, which flow through the territory of six countries: Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan and Afghanistan.

Aral Sea used to be one of the four largest inland water reservoirs of the world. However, due to extensive irrigation, water diverted from Amudarya and Syrdarya rivers increased and as a result the Aral Sea's level dropped during the past 40 years.

The Aral Sea level dropped by 19 meters since 1995, water volume decreased by 3/4, surface area shrank by half, 30 thousand c.m. are exposed to desertification.

Thus, rhe livelihood and quality of life of about 4 million people living in the Amudarya and Syrdarya deltas have been severely affected. Health problems such as respiratory disease, virulent disease, hepatitis, abdominal typhoid and others are widespread in the region. 80% of women able to have children have anaemia.

Moreover, as a result of desertification, salt from the Aral Sea can be found as far as North Europe and Tien-Shan.

The Aral Sea is under jurisdiction of two countries - Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan.

Source: CA-NEWS, 29.04.2009

Summit of the International Fund for Saving Aral Sea chaired by Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbaev has been held in Almaty on April 28. The heads of states adopted a Joint Statement.

The International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea was established in 1993 by the decision of the Central Asian states in order to finance joint actions and programs saving the Aral Sea, environmental recovery of the Aral Sea basin. The Fund was established by Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.

Kazakh President believes the Fund has become an effective tool of coordination of the efforts made Central Asian countries to overcome the Aral crisis, recognized as a catastrophe of the XX century.

Two Aral Sea Basin Programs have been implemented since the IFAS was established. The main objectives of the programs include stabilizing the environment of the Aral Sea Basin, improving management of land and water resources in the basin.

IFAS has been granted observer status by a United Nations General Assembly Resolution on December 2008.

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has forwarded greetings to the participants of the summit.

Kazakhstan will chair the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea in 2009-2011 in accordance with the provisions of the Fund.

The development of a new assistance program for the local population of Aral Sea delta has been delivered into the charge of the IFSA Executive Committee.

The President has also informed the participants of the completion of the Aral Sea Phase I Project aimed at rehabilitation of the Syrdarya river and building water infrastructure to rehabilitate the Northern Aral Sea.

Nazarbaev stressed that Kazakhstan is planning to continue working on Aral Sea recovery despite the world crisis and it is also planning to continue with the Aral Sea Phase II Project. This will help to improve ecological situation in the region, facilitate the development of fisheries sector, and bring other benefits.

The participants also exchanged opinions on collective management and shared use of Syrdarya and Amudarya resources.

Kazakhstan as a 'downstream' country experiences the harshest water supply shortage. It understands that only harmonized water policy can be the best solution to the problem.

Nazarbaev also met with the President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov. They discussed bilateral cooperation.

Source: CA-NEWS, 29.04.2009

President Islam Karimov in his address to the Summit of Heads of Countries-Founders of the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea on April 28 in Almaty talked about water relations in the region.

Islam Karimov stressed that “statements made by some our colleagues have gone beyond the limits of our agreement” and reminded that President of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbaev in invitations sent to all participants of the Summit asked “to strictly adhere” to the topic of the Summit and “not to go beyond discussions.”

“I think that it is senseless to hold discussions and debates over the issues that are far from activities of the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea,” Islam Karimov said.

“I would like to remind about recent very important letter we received from Chairperson of the International Fund Robert Zoellick. That was response to our letter, the letter from the President of Uzbekistan, where we raised all problems in sharing water and energy resources of the Central Asian region,” Islam Karimov said.

“I believe that disagreements between the countries lying in the upper courses of the two greatest rivers of our region, namely Amudarya and Syrdarya, and the countries lying in the lower courses, namely Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan and Kazakhstan are quite logical. The question here is about interests of each state and that Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan take care about their interests and these interests are not today's interests,” Islam Karimov claimed.

“These are interests of the future, because many things were done in the Soviet time that make us regret today. These rivers were to be diverted, they wanted to direct the Siberian rivers into Central Asia, all these great projects were made by the decision of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union, Political Bureau and the Council of Ministers of the USSR, including the projects we have just heard. I am deeply convinced that none of these projects had been thought through seriously. None of these projects had undergone international or any other examination by experts,” the President of Uzbekistan added.

Islam Karimov reminded that it is necessary to conduct independent examination of construction of hydroelectric stations in Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan. The President of Uzbekistan stressed: “ We stand for this and we are supported not only by the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank, but also by the European Union in this.”

In conclusion Karimov said that he does not want escalation of the discussion between the Central Asian countries regarding this issue. "The third countries willing to take part in these discussions, pursue their own goals. But I think that we, heads of state, who bear responsibility before our peoples and history, should try to reach agreement on our own without turning discussions into a political issue, allowing interests of our countries to be put aside and addressing someone's strategic and geopolitical issues of governance of the region instead.

Source: UzReport, 29.04.2009

A summit of the founder-states of the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea (IFAS) opened in Almaty, Kazakhstan, on 28 April. Presidents of all five Central Asian states - Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan – are taking part in the meeting.

The last IFAS summit was held in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, in 2002. Following the results of it, the heads of states adopted "Main Directions of the Program of Specific Actions to Improve Ecological and Social-Economic Situation in the Aral Sea Basin During 2003-2010". An agreement on holding the IFAS summit in Kazakhstan was reached at the meeting of the presidents in Bishkek on 10 October 2008.

At the summit the "water relations" among the region's countries, the Fund's activity and the issues of formation of a new composition of the charter bodies of the IFAS will be discussed. It is expected that the Central Asian leaders will sign a Joint Statement of the heads of states on the results of the summit.

On the proposal of the Turkmen side, UN Secretary-General's Special Representative and the Head of the UN Regional Centre for Preventive Diplomacy in Central Asia (UNRCCA) Miroslav Jenca was invited to the summit. On behalf of UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon he will speak to the participants.

Holding this summit shows importance of the Aral Sea problem for every state of the region, Kazinform reported.

Source: UN News Centre, 29.04.2009

Any solution to the disappearance of Central Asia’s Aral Sea, which has shrunk by 70 per cent in recent decades, must recognize the importance of regional cooperation and the struggle against climate change, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said today. Once the world’s fourth largest lake, the drying up of the Aral threatens livelihoods and national prosperity in Central Asia, Mr. Ban told the Summit of the Member States of the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea in Almaty, Kazakhstan, in a message delivered by his Special Representative for Central Asia, Miroslav Jenca.

Adding to the problem, the mountain glaciers of Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan that feed the lake are melting at an alarming rate. By 2050, water flow in the Amu-Darya and Syr-Darya rivers could diminish by up to 40 and 30 per cent each.

Mr. Ban said he was heartened that, despite the serious global economic crisis, the decision-makers of the Central Asian region have agreed, at the highest level, to discuss ecological issues of common concern, including those of the Aral Sea basin.

The region comprises Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.

For his part, Mr. Jenca strongly welcomed the commitment of the leaders of the five Central Asian nations to discuss the challenge of managing shared water resources. He pledged assistance in those efforts through the UN Regional Centre for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia (UNRCCA), which he heads.

In a related development, the first part of Mr. Ban’s report on Oceans and the Law of the Sea, which aims to facilitate discussions among Member States on issues that have arisen in the implementation of the related UN convention, was released today.

It describes the development of a consultative process to deal with matters ranging from piracy to the production of nautical charts and international standards for seafarers and fishers.

Other reports on the Law of the Sea, marine biodiversity, fishery management and related issues will be issued before the General Assembly meets on those topics, Mr. Ban said.