UN calls Central Asian countries to share joint water resources

Azerbaijan, Baku, August 22 /Trend, V.Javoronkova/ UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon called the Central Asian countries to share the shared water resources, to provide their protection and appropriate management, UN press-service reported. According to the report, Ban KI-moon made this call in this welcome address to the participants of high-level International conference on water cooperation, which is being hosted by Tajikistan in Dushanbe. UN head reminded the importance of natural resources for the nations' welfare, economic development and keeping a healthy environment. Ban Ki-moon noted that population growth, the growth of consumption and production leads to the water shortage in the world and its pollution. To date, around 800 million people do not have access to appropriate water supply systems. Around 2.5 million people are deprived of adequate sanitation. Approximately five children under 5 die due to the lack of secure drinking water, unfavorable sanitation conditions and basic hygiene. On the initiative of Tajikistan, UN General Assembly unanimously adopted a resolution declaring 2013 the year of International water cooperation. "2013, the year of International water cooperation, stresses the importance of partnership in solution of water and sanitation problems, " Ban Ki-moon noted. He expressed his hope that the conference in Dushanbe will significantly contribute to the development of this partnership. UN head noted that regardless of location in upper or lower course of rivers, the states should share their shared water resources, provide their protection and reliable management for the sake of current and future generations. The message of UN Secretary-General was read out by his Deputy on Economic and Social Affairs, Wu Hongbo at the press-conference in Dushanbe. There are around 276 transboundary water basins in the world, about 60 of which are in Asia and 68- in Europe. Do you have any feedback? Contact our journalist at agency@trend.az