Gipfelkonferenz "Wasser fürs Leben" vom 08. bis 10. Juni 2010 in Duschanbe geplant

22 March 2010: High-Level Interactive Dialogue on the implementation of the International Decade for Action “Water for Life” 2005-2015

On 22 March the United Nations General Assembly convened, on the occasion of World Water Day, a high-level interactive dialogue on the implementation of the International Decade for Action "Water for Life" 2005-2015, and the realization of the internationally agreed water-related development goals.

Foreseeing new challenges in the equitable and peaceful management of shared water resources, officials urged that "bold" and "holistic" solutions be discussed to forestall pollution and water depletion, when the General Assembly meets for talks on the Millennium Development Goals in September. The day-long dialogue, which also marked the midpoint of the Decade, was an opportunity to highlight the connection between water, climate change and disaster risk management. It also provided a chance to discuss the need for proactive engagement of all stakeholders to cope with those challenges. Meeting in three separate panels, the Assembly examined the issues of water and the Millennium Development Goals; water, climate change and disasters; and water and peace and security.

Oqil Oqilov, Prime Minister of Tajikistan, remarking that the international community was crossing the midpoint of the International Decade, recalled a message from former United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan, who called water “the lifeline for survival and for sustainable development in the twenty-first century”.  That message was still relevant and urgent five years after the launch of the Decade, where, though some targets were on their way to being met, progress on some was still lagging.  The decrease in freshwater resources caused by climate change might create additional difficulties, particularly in arid and semiarid regions, which were experiencing the worst forms of water stress.  The situation was being made worse by drinking water shortages in many countries, deteriorating water quality and degradation of water sources, and excessive population growth.

He expressed confidence that the high-level dialogue would provided a “solid foundation” for discussions on those, and other, aspects of the United Nations water agenda.  In the view of the Government of Tajikistan ‑‑ which had initiated the International Year of Freshwater, and the International Decade for Action “Water For Life” ‑‑ realization of the Decade would facilitate the settlement of other problems, including health, food and energy security, environment, climate change and disaster risk reduction.

The Prime Minister underlined that the Government of Tajikistan had paid special attention to the water issue, since, despite being rich in water resources, 40 per cent of its people had no access to safe drinking water.  Hundreds of billions of cubic meters of freshwater were accumulated in glaciers and lakes, and another several billion were accumulated in river basins that accounted for more than half of the water potential of Central Asia.  But, Tajikistan used only 15 per cent of its rivers, with the rest going to downstream countries for irrigation.

He stressed that only the efficient and coordinated actions of countries, civil society, the private sector and other stakeholders could accelerate progress in achieving the Decade’s goals in its second half.  To that end, President Emomali Rahmon of Tajikistan had put forward a proposal to declare 2012 as the International Year of Water Diplomacy.  He also invited all stakeholders to participate in the June 2010 high-level international conference in Dushanbe to assess progress in achieving the International Decade’s objectives and discuss new ways to implement them.

Ali Abdussalam Treki, the current Assembly President, in his turn, underscored that “the challenges pertaining to water are serious, but the opportunity and the potential to work together to overcome them is no less significant.”  Midway through the International Decade for Action, “Water for Life, 2005-2015”, it was important to take stock of progress in implementing its objectives, he said, expressing disappointment that the international community was lagging behind in most areas.

Moreover, expressing support for a proposal on designating 2012 as the International Year of Water Diplomacy, he added that he might submit a resolution to the Assembly “in the next couple of months” on that subject.

In the result, the high-level dialogue had reaffirmed several important points:

1. Water is central to achieving the Millennium Development Goals. Access to water for drinking and productive activities, as well as access to sanitation services, is a prerequisite for lifting people out of poverty, for promoting gender equality, reducing child mortality and increasing maternal health. Statistics show that much more needs to be done to meet the goals and to fulfill our promises to the people of the world.

2. Managing water resources sustainably is vital to achieve economic growth and safeguard ecosystems.

3. Water-related climate change impacts are already evident as more severe and frequent droughts and floods conditions are experienced. Improving the water resource management systems will help countries to adapt to the challenges of climate change. Managing increased variability of water resources requires additional natural and constructed water storage.

4. History shows that cooperation, not conflict, is the most common response to transboundary water management issues. Past experiences confirm that it is possible for parties with divergent interests to use a common resource in a cooperative spirit.

5. The global challenge that we are facing must be addressed through global responsibility – from local to national, regional and international levels. We need to engage Governments, the private sector, NGOs and international organizations and all stakeholders to strengthen existing partnerships and create new partnerships where needed.

Closing the high-level interactive dialogue Assembly President, Ali Abdussalam Treki, stressed the need for concerted and sustained action for full and timely implementation of the internationally agreed water related goals. He expressed strong confidence in that the High Level Dialogue will put the water issue back on top of the international agenda and will form an important input for the High Level International Conference in Dushanbe in June and the MDG Review Summit in September, as well as other processes.

It is worth mentioning that the high-level interactive dialogue on the implementation of the International Decade for Action "Water for Life" 2005-2015 was convened on the basis of provisions of the UN GA Resolution 64/198 that also provides for High-level international conference on the mid-term comprehensive review of the implementation of the International Decade for Action 'Water for life' 2005-2015 to be held on 8-10 June 2010 in Dushanbe, Tajikistan.