Opening Ceremony of the High-Level International Conference on the implementation of the International Decade for Action “Water for Life”, 2005-2015

On the 9th of June 2015, was the opening ceremony of High-Level International Conference on Implementation of International Decade for Action "Water for Life" in Dushanbe, Tajikistan.

Statement by the President of the Republic of Tajikistan, H.E. Mr. Emomali Rahmon at the High-Level International Conference on the implementation of the International Decade for Action “Water for Life”, 2005-2015.
Highlights of the opening:

• 10 years ago water for life started in Tajikistan, now 100 countries are represented;
• Water stays important in the agenda. 750.000 have no access to water, 2.5 million have no sanitation, 1.3 have no electricity, many climate disasters, 50% in 2050 will know water scarcity;
• Propose a  new decade for action for sustainable development by Tajik government;
• 16480.000 dollars invested in water related programmes in Tajikistan;
• Hydro power is the most efficient solution for Tajik, energy sector has to improve, only 4% of hydro power is used, that should change;
• Temperature has increased. Glaciers have been melting, 1000 glaciers of 14000 have melted;
• Rapid population growth is another problem;
• Issue of water environment are interconnected and need action and measures, we don't want more melting of glaciers and so will lead to reducing of water resources;
• Water use will increase 15-20% in Central Asia. Cooperation is necessary;
• Initiatives have contributed to better understanding;
• And we need to promote water solutions. As water is life, development, secure future for next generations. Sept. 2015 NY meeting. (Proposal of new decade on water and sustainable development).

Ban Ki-Moon, Secretary General of the United Nations spoke at the opening.
Highlights of his speech:

• Water is life, dignity, human right;
• We achieved the goal on water. Decade for life has achieved a lot;
• 1/3 of humanity has gained access to water. 1 million has achieved sanitation;
• However 25 million have no sanitation, 1 billion use open defecation. 2 out of 3 people have to live in water stressed situations in 2050;
• 260 billion dollars are lost because of poor water and sanitation;
• New international decade for action on water and sustainable development is supported by Ban Ki-moon;
• Worldwide women walk 200 billion hours to fetch water;
• Women should be at decision making level and fully involved;
• Children should be involved as they are the future;
• Build on the success of the water for life decade and keep up the momentum.

Pakistan Prime Minister - Mr Nawaz Sharif states:

• Fully supports the proposal decade for enhanced action on water and sustainable development;
• We must learn from the decade;
• The work is not complete, and we have to look at the gaps;
• Lack of sanitation will have enormous impact on the world economy;
• Comprehensive goal on water with SDG is important.

Kyrgyz prime minister - Mr. Temir Sariev states:

• Promotes decade for sustainable energy for all;
• Open for cooperation on new water decade on water.