| International Conference of the EECCA NWO "Water for Land Reclamation, Economic Sectors and Natural Environment in the context of Climate Change" (6-7 November 2018, Tashkent, Uzbekistan) |
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| Written by Iskander Beglov | |
| Wednesday, 15 August 2018 | |
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Venue: hotel «Golden Valley»
6 November 2018
PLENARY SESSION
09:00 Official opening
Welcome speeches:
Key reporter:
SESSION 1: STRATEGY OF SURVIVAL IN THE FACE OF IMMINENT WATER SCARCITY
Key reporter:
Presentations of country representatives on key aspects: climate change challenges, increase of water withdrawal (Afghanistan, China, Iran), population growth; changes in economic structure and social needs; how can the region’s countries oppose to those challenges?
SESSION 2: TRANSBOUNDARY WATER COOPERATION: HOW TO ENSURE IRRIGATION, ENERGY AND NATURE NEXUS IN THE CONTEXT OF CLIMATE CHANGE?
Key reporters:
Presentations of country representatives on key aspects: Cooperation tools, joint regulation regimes: energy, irrigation, nature protection; cooperation-based nexus; clear obligations of the parties; public participation; excessive hydropower capacities – base for coordination; involvement of hydropower, hydrometeorological services and aquatic environment sector in activities of IFAS and ICWC
SESSION 3: WATER CONSERVATION AND RATIONAL NATURE USE
Key reporters:
Presentations of country representatives on key aspects: revision of water requirements; analysis of losses along main canals and systems; lowering of losses; improvement of water accounting and forecast accuracy; automation of flow metering and regulation; remote sensing in water accounting
SESSION 4: COOPERATION OF REGIONAL ORGANIZATIONS IN THE ARAL SEA BASIN (IFAS-ICWC-ICSD) – SEARCHING FOR ADDITIONAL WATER RESERVES?
Key reporters:
Presentations of country representatives on key aspects: use of collector-drainage water, wastewater and return water for irrigation; achieving water-related Sustainable Development Goals; water conservation and sanitary-environmental releases; sustainability of delta ecosystems; adaptation to climate change
7 November 2018
SESSION 5: BUILDING CAPACITIES OF WATER-MANAGEMENT, BASIN AND LAND RECLAMATION ORGANIZATIONS
Key reporter:
Presentations of country representatives on key aspects: professional development; improvement of information exchange; knowledge base; advisory service; water diplomacy, etc.
Wrap-up and approval of resolution
RESOLUTION
EECCA NWO INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE
Water for Land Reclamation, Economic Sectors and Natural Environment in the context of Climate Change
The participants of the Conference held within the framework of the Eastern Europe, Caucasus, and Central Asia Network of Water Management Organizations (EECCA NWO) on 6-7 November 2018 in Tashkent addressed the current matters of land reclamation and water supply in economic sectors and for the natural environment in the context of climate change. They also summarized the results of the Network’s activity over the past year and discussed tasks for the future.
The participants presented in-depth reports and exchanged opinions in the following focus areas:
Having summarized results of the discussion, the Conference participants have decided the following:
1. Stress that the current challenges that the EECCA countries face, including climate change, potential increase of river water withdrawal by neighboring countries (Afghanistan, China, Iran), population growth, and changing economic and social behavior patterns require that appropriate and timely adaptation measures be taken.
2. In this context, it is important to elaborate long-term (2030-2050) water strategies for each country and the region as a whole, proceeding from ongoing changes. Additionally, all EECCA countries need to develop a common line of conduct aimed at sustainable and peaceful development that would be based on the wider science engagement in the solution of pressing problems of sustainable development, including water, energy, environment and security, and the regular and systematic building capacities and raising awareness.
3. Support an initiative on the establishment of an independent think-tank involving experts from concerned sectors and disciplines to develop scientifically grounded decisions and recommendations for decision makers. Organize a lead group for drafting of a roadmap for the establishment of such a think-tank and take poll among EECCA NWO members on topics and directions of future activity of this platform.
4. Unite efforts in inventing, adopting and developing environmentally friendly energy- and water-saving technologies, increasing regional and inter-regional cooperation in the sphere of water saving and sound transboundary water use, while simultaneously ensuring intersectoral harmonization.
5. Activate climate change direction at the global level, also as part of implementation of the Work program 2019-2021 of the UNECE Convention on protection and use of transboundary watercourses and international lakes and the activity of its Task Force on water and climate and the global network of basins dealing with adaptation. Given the complicated environmental and geopolitical situation, ask representatives of the Russian Federation in EECCA NWO to talk with the Russian leadership concerning consideration of a possibility of cooperation with a European Arctic Group for reopening of the discussion on possible diversion of a water share of Siberian rivers at expense of its discharge into the Arctic Ocean and usage of this share for Central Asia and desert areas in Mongolia, Eastern Siberia and China.
6. Underline the role of the Paris Pact on Water and Adaptation to Climate Change in the Basins of Rivers, Lakes and Aquifers that offers a number of practical adaptation measures, among which:
7. Note with satisfaction effective and fruitful activities of EECCA NWO over the past 10 years. With the support of the UN Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), the Government of the Russian Federation, the Scientific-Information Center of ICWC and the International Network of Basin Organizations, the Network contributed to exchange of ideas, information and best practices on different aspects of water related activity and promoted unity and mutual understanding among professionals from various sectors and countries in the region.
Key activities and events organized by the Network in 2017-2018 included:
8. Strengthen efforts of the Network’s members in the following focus areas:
9. Note that the exchange of knowledge would be more productive and the knowledge base on water, economy and irrigated agriculture would be strengthened if donors provide wider support.
10. The next conference of the Network is to be held in 2019 on “Science and innovations for water security” at part of the XV International scientific-practical symposium and exhibition “Clean Water of Russia 2019”, which will be held in Yekaterinburg under the slogan “Water security as a factor of sustainable development”.
11. Acknowledge:
Tashkent, 7 November 2018
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