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June 21st, 2018
Via The Times of Central Asia, a report on the importance of water for development in Central Asia:
Mitigating the increases in floods, droughts, melting glaciers and other climate change-related effects requires coordinated action at the national, regional, and global levels, said Cyril Muller, World Bank Vice President for Europe and Central Asia, during his visit to Tajikistan on June 20.
Muller highlighted the importance of joint regional and global actions in water resources management during his opening speech at the High-Level International Conference Water for Sustainable Development 2018-2028, organized by the Government of Tajikistan and the United Nations in Dushanbe.
“Water drives economic growth, supports healthy ecosystems, affects our health, particularly, our young children’s health, and is essential to food and energy production,” said Mr. Muller. “However, increases in extreme hydrologic events—floods, droughts, as well as melting glaciers—have large and rising economic costs and will affect all of us in some way. Together with our development partners, the private sector, academia, and civil society, the World Bank will support Tajikistan to address water-related challenges and deliver on the 2030 Agenda of the Sustainable Development Goals.”
Water is an important driver of Central Asia’s economies. It is critical for the agricultural sector, which employs over 64 percent of the population in Tajikistan. But as glaciers retreat in many parts of the region, this important source of water may no longer be reliable in the decades to come.
Muller also noted that modernization of institutions, infrastructure, water management, and technology can bring significant gains in water productivity in Central Asia. He highlighted the importance of cooperation on water and climate change issues to make the economies of Central Asia stronger and more climate-resilient. He commended the efforts of Tajikistan in promoting a regional dialogue and cooperation on water issues.
During his visit to Tajikistan, Muller met with President Emomali Rahmon, Minister of Finance Faiziddin Qahhorzoda, and representatives of the development community. Muller reconfirmed the World Bank’s commitment to supporting Tajikistan under the new Country Partnership Framework for 2019-2023, which will focus on improving economic opportunities and services for people, including in rural areas, building human capital, and realizing the potential of the energy sector. It also aims at building the basis for the private sector to take full advantage of the opportunities emerging from the improved external environment.
This year, Tajikistan and the World Bank Group are marking 25 years of membership and collaboration. During this time, the World Bank provided over US$1.4 billion in IDA grants, highly concessional credits and trust funds to Tajikistan.