Statement by the Minister of Foreign Affairs at the Meeting of the International Steering Committee

STATEMENT
by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Tajikistan S. ASLOV
at the 3rd  Meeting of the International Steering Committee  of the High-level International Conference on the Implementation of the International Decade for Action “Water for Life “, 2005-2015
June 7, 2015

Distinguished members of the International Steering Committee,
Distinguished Participants to the Meeting,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

Allow me, on behalf of the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan, to welcome you all at the 3rd final meeting of the International Steering Committee  of the High level International Conference on the implementation of the International Decade of Action “Water for Life “.

I would like to avail myself of this opportunity to extend our sincere appreciation to all  members of the Committee and to our distinguished guests for their participation in this meeting, as well as  in the Conference  itself and its numerous events.


Distinguished members of the International Steering Committee,
For over five months the National Organizing Committee and the International Steering Committee have been engaged in this process, and today I can declare that our joint work has yielded good results.

In fact, the Conference gathers together over one thousand five hundred participants  from  99 countries  representing all regions of the world, among them the Governments, UN institutions, international organizations, civil society, children’s and women’s organizations and other stakeholders. The list of the participants and their level, the fact that they represent different regions of the world and different social strata testifies to a great interest displayed in our Conference by the international community.  

This proves the degree of interest on the part of different stakeholders, and this is also  a proof of a success of the preparation work.  Distinguished members of the Steering Committee, your contribution to this success can hardly be overestimated, and I would like to take this opportunity and, on behalf of the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan, to extend to you our sincere appreciation  for the rendered support and cooperation during the preparation process.

Indeed, the selected themes and approach towards the organization of the High level Panels and Round tables laid down a solid foundation for constructive discussions, exchange of experiences and practices. The 4 Pre Conference events, 2 High level panels on the implementation of the Decade, 6 High level Round tables for identification  of further efforts  towards sustainable use of water resources and various thematic events, the International Exhibition  “Water for Life” provide a good opportunity for all stakeholders  to demonstrate their  achievements , successful policies and best practices in the area of water  cooperation at different levels.

The Children’s Forum generated special interest since it gathered 100 participants from 13 countries  representing different regions of the world, among them, Brazil, United States, Zambia, Romania, South Korea, the Philippines, Ukraine, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan.

Involvement of the leading UN institutions, international and regional organizations, development banks as the co-organizers of all the above events has ensured a multilateral and inclusive approach.

I am certain that such an approach creates all prerequisites for achieving the goals and tasks of the Conference.

Ladies and Gentlemen,
We all know that it is the outcome of the Conference that matters. Today we are to consider the Draft outcome document of the Conference  entitled “The Dushanbe Declaration”. There is no doubt that the Dushanbe Declaration, drafted with due consideration to the comments and proposals submitted by the member states and your professional recommendations will promote further efforts of the international community towards  the achievement of the internationally agreed goals on water, including  water related Sustainable development goals, and I am deeply convinced that the Conference participants will unanimously support the ideas laid down in them.

I avail myself of this opportunity to extend our appreciation to all members of the International Steering Committee for their professional advice and recommendations, and for their invaluable contribution to the development of these important documents.

Distinguished Members of the International Steering Committee,
I am confident that, thanks to our joint efforts, the Dushanbe Conference will be held at a high organizational level, and that our cooperation will not be over at this point. We will highly appreciate your assistance in summing up the results of the Conference and presenting and advancing them at different levels through your partners’ wide spread networks and other mechanisms.

I would like to note that a very powerful team of experts has been involved in the preparation process of the Dushanbe Conference. In our view this very team is capable of maintaining and strengthening a dialogue at the global level, and to broaden mutual understanding,  enhance cooperation  and partnership. You indeed can be called envoys of peace and friendship. I myself and the entire Tajik team have been always happy to meet and to cooperate with you.  

Thank you for your attention. I wish you every success in your work and a pleasant staying on our hospitable land.