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Turkmenistan urges to actively address environmental issues

27 September 2017 14:27 (UTC+04:00)
Turkmenistan urges to actively address environmental issues

By Kamila Aliyeva

Turkmenistan has proposed to host a summit of the heads of states of the founders of the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea (IFAS) in 2018.

Ashgabat’s Permanent Representative to the UN Aksoltan Atayeva, addressing a general political discussion at the 72nd session of the UN General Assembly, called on the international community to more actively address environmental issues, including the issue of water management.

In this regard, Atayeva suggested holding a summit of the heads of the founding states of the IFAS next year, further noting the importance of participation of representatives of UN specialized agencies in this summit.

The Aral Sea, in Central Asia, used to be the fourth largest lake in the world, after the Caspian Sea, and Lakes Superior and Victoria. Now barely 10 percent of it is left.

Water level in the Aral Sea has dropped by 26 meters, while the shoreline has receded by hundreds of kilometers. The consequences have been devastating on an environmental, economic, and social level.

The IFAS was established in 1993 to support scientific and practical research and organize financing social and economic and environmental programs in the region aimed at improving environmental situation of Aral Sea region.

Turkmenistan is chairing the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea in 2017-2019.

Atayeva further spoke about the International Energy Charter Conference.

Reminding that Turkmenistan acts as the Chairman of the International Energy Charter Conference this year, Atayeva said that her country seeks to intensify the process of developing a new international mechanism in the field of sustainable energy

"In this context, we welcome the establishment of an international expert group on energy security and sustainable energy, and invite states to participate actively in the work of the International Energy Charter Conference, which will be held on November 28-29, 2017 in Ashgabat," the Permanent Representative said.

In her speech, Atayeva also paid special attention to the problem of terrorism.

Noting the role of preventive diplomacy in preventing conflicts and eliminating their causes, she recalled that this year marks the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the Regional Center in Central Asia. She said that her delegation intends to submit a draft resolution in support of the mechanisms of preventive diplomacy for consideration by the First Committee of the UN General Assembly.

"In fact, terrorism as a phenomenon threatens the entire system of global security, its political and moral foundations. We strongly condemn terrorism in all its forms and manifestations and recognize that the prevention of terrorism is one of the most important components of ensuring national, regional and global security," she said.

Turkmenistan’s Permanent Representative supported the efforts of the world community to establish effective international mechanisms for countering terrorism, noting that Turkmenistan welcomes the creation of the UN Counter-Terrorism Directorate.

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Kamila Aliyeva is AzerNews’ staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @Kami_Aliyeva

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz

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