Early in the morning on June 20, President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov left the Turkmen capital for the Republic of Tajikistan to take part in the High Level International Conference on the International Decade for Action “Water for Sustainable Development” 2018-2028.
After an hour and a half flight, the presidential airliner landed in the International Airport in Dushanbe, decorated with the State Flags of the two countries.The high-ranking officials greeted the Turkmen leader at the airport.
From the airport, the cortege of the President of Turkmenistan headed to the venue for the International conference the Government residence of the Republic of Tajikistan.President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov headed to the special place for high guests, where President of the Republic of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon cordially greeted the Turkmen leader.
After the official photo session of the heads of the delegations, taking part in the forum that was held in the Big Conference Hall in the Kohi Somon Palace, the solemn ceremony of opening of the International Conference “Water for sustainable development” took place.
President of the Republic of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon opened the conference and then the floor was given to Under-Secretary-General for United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs Liu Zhenmin.
Then the floor was given to the President of Turkmenistan.Addressing the conference participants, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov noted that the preservation and efficient use of water resources largely depended on the course of global processes, the prospects for lasting peace, stability, development and prosperity on the planet. “Water issues, including political, economic, social aspects, need an international consensus and consolidation of the efforts of states on a common worldview platform.
At the same time, local interests and benefits should give place to the understanding of truly global goals and priorities, developing a unified strategy for actions on water for the long term. “We believe that it is possible to cope with these tasks working in close coordination with the United Nations based on the Sustainable Development Goals and those policy documents that were adopted during the UN Conference "RIO+20", at the VII World Water Forum in Daegu, and other global international meetings.
The main condition for joint activities in this direction should be the unconditional commitment to the principle of equal and equitable access to water resources, and its recognition as a fundamental human right. “To guarantee the right to access water resources and responsibility for this should be obligatory for all states in the world”, the Turkmen leader said.