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Today, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov within his working visit to the Republic of Kazakhstan took part in the Regional Ecological Summit and in the regular meeting of the Council of heads of states-founders of the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea.
As was informed earlier, the day before the President of Turkmenistan arrived in the capital of the friendly country.
… early in the morning, the motorcade of the head of the state arrived in the International exhibition centre "EXPO" – the venue of the Regional Ecological Summit.
There, President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokaev welcomed President Serdar Berdimuhamedov warmly.
Heads of the states as well as heads and representatives of the international organisations took part in the high-level meeting.
Before the beginning of the Summit, the heads of delegations familiarised with the International exhibition «RES 2026 EXPO», held in Astana within the Regional Ecological Summit, which has become a kind of technological review of the "green" future of Central Asia. At stands of the Exhibition centre, one could see solutions from advanced world companies and innovative enterprises in the field of energy transition.
Exhibits were systematised by thematic sections covering all aspects of preservation of the environment - from prevention of emissions of hotbed gases into the atmosphere to modern systems of drop irrigation.
The exhibition is aimed not only at demonstration of technologies, but also formation of the new business culture focused on ecological responsibility.
The national pavilion of Turkmenistan at the International exhibition «RES 2026 EXPO» became a bright reflexion of unique harmony of the rich cultural heritage and achievements in modern ecological system, drawing the attention of visitors with its many-sided maintenance.
The representative of our country acquainted honoured guests with the exposition, which along with the unique nature and rich culture of Turkmenistan reflects key areas of activity carried out at the state level in the sphere of preservation of the environment the and initiatives, programs and projects realised in this area.
As was marked, for Turkmenistan the ecological well-being – an integral factor of prosperity and sustainable development. Under the wise leadership of President Serdar Berdimuhamedov and thanks to efforts of National Leader of the Turkmen people, Chairman of the Khalk Maslakhaty Hero-Arkadag, our country attaches a special significance to issues of preservation of the environment and rational use of natural resources. Turkmenistan at national, regional and international levels brings its contribution to the solution of ecological and climatic problems. Annual national tree planting actions also speak of the fact. As a result of similar noble actions, foothills and the cities turn into blossoming gardens, for the population favourable environment is created.
Taking active part in the international efforts on environment protection, Turkmenistan acts with various offers aimed at improvement of the ecological condition in the region, combat against negative consequences of climate change and degradation of soils. Practical realisation of these initiatives promotes consolidation of efforts of the countries of the region in this issue, expansion of exchange by technologies and experience in the field.
The central place in the exposition occupies the multivolume scientific-encyclopaedic work by National Leader of the Turkmen people Hero-Arkadag «Medicinal plants of Turkmenistan».
At the same time, achievements of the country are reflected in stands of the ecology sphere that visually shows adherence of Turkmenistan to principles of maintenance of well-being of environment and solicitous attitude to nature.
Works of decorative and applied arts add a special appeal to the national pavilion.
After acquaintance with the exhibition, the heads of delegations headed towards the Congress centre – the venue of the Regional Ecological Summit, the topic of which is defined as «General vision of sustainable future».
On completion of the ceremony of joint photographing, the plenary session took place.
The regular meeting of the Council of heads of states-founders of the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea (IFAS) also added an importance to the high-level forum.
The issues connected with adaptation and economic stability to ecological and natural risks were included, food safety in the region, steady management of natural resources, pollution abatement of atmospheric air, mechanisms of achievement of ecological purposes, fair and inclusive transition, ecological and digital experts and others in the agenda of the Summit.
Having warmly welcomed the gathered, President Kassym-Jomart Tokaev expressed gratitude for the accepted invitation to take part in the Summit. As was underlined, participation of heads of states, international organisations and partners raises the importance of the present forum.
Then, the floor was given to delegates of the Summit.
In his speech, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov warmly greeted the gathered and thanked President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokaev for the initiative of convocation of the Regional Ecological Summit, hospitality, kindliness and high level of organisation of the event.
The present forum – an unordinary event. For the first time, our countries at the higher state level discuss expanded ecological summons - in it agenda are integrity and really common regional measurement. It, in our opinion, is an indicator of readiness of all participating states for transition to more effective, systematic and perspective approach in the solution of major issues of preservation of the environment, climatic changes and the issues of social orientation connected with them, the head of Turkmenistan said.
As was underlined, in such context our country considers the present forum. In this connection, readiness of Turkmenistan was entirely confirmed to promote its transformation into an effective platform of exchange of opinions, promotion of constructive ideas and initiatives in the field of ecology, rational use of water resources, in other significant areas of ecological development as well as adjacent issues connected with economic, humanitarian, legal fields.
Today, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov continued his speech, all of us face serious ecological challenges. The core of them is climate change, making negative impact on all spheres of life. We observe reduction of water resources, degradation of soils, strengthening of processes of desertification, biodiversity loss, and growth of migration processes of territories becoming adverse for residing.
As was marked, under these conditions consolidation of efforts of our states, and expansion of their cooperation with international organisations, first of all, with the United Nations, its specialised agencies obtain a special urgency.
One of the significant tools of such interaction is the establishment of specialised Regional centres of the United Nations in territories of our countries.
Turkmenistan at the given Summit represents initiatives on creation of the regional centre for climatic technologies and the regional centre for combat against desertification for countries of Central Asia, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov continued his speech and stated conviction that location of these structures in the immediate proximity from objects of their activity will allow more precisely, with great competence and based on practical experience, to answer ecological risks and threats, to search for ways of their prevention and overcoming, development of valuable skills of the dialogue with national structures.
Having especially singled out among them adoption of practical measures on decrease in negative influence of climate change and adaptation to its consequences, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov underlined the importance of advancement of principles of "green" development in all branches of economy and necessity to hold the active regional dialogue concerning ecologically steady growth and introduction of modern ecological standards.
As was marked, for increase of efficiency of offered initiatives it is important to build the mechanism of their advancement. In particular, the head of the state emphasised expediency of preliminary discussion and completion of proposals put forward at regional or inter-regional ecological meetings and the conferences held at expert level. In case of development of the general vision and approaches to realisation of specific proposals, it was proposed to call ministerial meetings only after achievement of consensus and under condition of high degree of coordination of corresponding documents to bring these issues into the agendas of the summits.
The rational and fair use of transboundary water resources also require separate attention, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov stated and presented an official position of Turkmenistan.
As was underlined, our country stands for the fact that water issues on the transboundary rivers and waterways should be solved on the basis of three main principles, in particular, strict observance of basic Conventions and other international acts concerning water, taking into account equal interests of all states located along the transboundary rivers, with wide participation of international organisations, first of all, the United Nations Organization.
In that connection, it was pointed out that Turkmenistan initiated creation of the Regional council for water use in countries of Central Asia under the aegis of the United Nations, which could become an effective structure co-ordinating effort in the water sphere. Our country, being simultaneously the country of the Caspian region, actively acts in all ecological issues of the Caspian Sea.
- We proposed in the United Nations Organization a Caspian ecological initiative, prepared the Concept of its realisation, which we sent to all Caspian countries, - the head of the state said. As was underlined, simultaneously with it, Turkmenistan in August of the past year on the margins of the international Conference of the United Nations on land-locked countries, organised the Meeting of ecology of the Caspian sea at the level of vice-premiers of coastal states.
Continuing such practice, in the beginning of October of the current year, we bring together the next meeting of high level following the results of which we hope to bring out cooperation of countries of the Caspian region concerning ecological well-being and preservation of the Caspian sea and its unique nature to a new stage, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov noted, having emphasised the significance of the theme of rescue of the Aral sea.
In that regard, it was underlined that the meeting of the Council of heads of states-founders of the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea will take place today and conviction that in it, necessary decisions on the further joint activity aimed at rescue of the Aral Sea will be made, was expressed.
We count that the Regional ecological forum will become an effective international platform for development of co-ordinated solutions, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov stated and pointed out that historical and cultural affinity, spirit of original good neighbourhood, solidarity and mutual aid, which people of our countries always distinguished, obliges to it.
In that connection, Turkmenistan highly appreciates prospects of the given format of cooperation, the head of the state underlined, having expressed confidence that a good impulse for the forthcoming systematic work today will be given.
At the end of his speech, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov congratulated the gathered with the beginning of work of the Regional Ecological Summit and wished fruitful discussions and exchange of opinions.
The speech of the head of Turkmenistan was heard with great attention.
Following the results of the Summit, the Declaration of heads of states of Central Asia «Ecological solidarity in Central Asia» on regional cooperation in the field of ecology and sustainable development was accepted. This document strengthens solidarity of countries of the region in the solution of environmental problems and shows to the world readiness of Central Asia for joint actions in sustainable development and ecology issues.
... In the second half of the day, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov took part in the next meeting of the Council of heads of states-founders of the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea (IFAS).
Throughout decades, IFAS is a unique political platform in Central Asia and the unique interstate organisation uniting efforts of the countries of the region to combat the global ecological threats. The fund plays an important role in coordination of joint actions in improvement of ecological, social, and economic situation in the Aral Sea region. Activity of IFAS is aimed at not only softening of consequences of natural calamities, but also development of mechanisms of sustainable water resources management that is one of the key factors of regional security and stability.
Turkmenistan, occupying an active and constructive position within the IFAS, acts with the concrete initiatives aimed at modernisation of its legal and technical basis. During its presidency on the board of the Fund and following years, our country systematically advanced the idea of its institutional strengthening and creation of specialised regional structures under the aegis of the United Nations.
The policy of our fatherland concerning the Aral Sea is based on principles of «water diplomacy» and recognition of water resources as the general property of all people of Central Asia. The creative approach of Turkmenistan to the solution of the problems put in the field promotes the strengthening of trust between neighbouring countries and formation of a uniform vector of advancement of ecological summons.
… the motorcade of President Serdar Berdimuhamedov arrived in the venue of the IFAS Summit - the Palace "Akorda".
There, the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan warmly met the head of Turkmenistan.
After the ceremony of joint official photographing of heads of delegations, the meeting of the Council of heads of states-founders of the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea took place.
Welcoming participants of the Summit, President Kassym-Jomart Tokaev underlined the importance of strategic regional cooperation in modern conditions, having noticed that ecological well-being of the Aral sea region has a direct influence on food and energy security of states-founders of IFAS.
Then, the floor was given to participants of the meeting.
In the beginning of his speech, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov expressed to the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokaev gratitude for the high organisation of the meeting of the Council of heads of states-founders of the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea and for the shown hospitality.
- I am convinced that our overall objective consists in making the vital goals for our people a top priority and to keep and increase mechanisms of international partnership and coordination in the region, - President Serdar Berdimuhamedov underlined.
- Rescue of the Aral sea, its future, destinies of people living in its pool - a point of honour, our political and moral responsibility, - the head of Turkmenistan pointed out. – Simultaneously, it is a general duty for mobilisation and application of economic, financial, organizational resources, and diplomatic efforts of our countries and international partners for the solution of topical ecological, social and humanitarian problems.
In this context, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov reminded that during the presidency in the International Fund for Saving the Aral sea in 2017-2019 Turkmenistan responsibly and purposefully concentrated attention on practical problems of IFAS and placed a special emphasis on concrete definition and coordination of interaction with international structures, first of all, specialised agencies and United Nations institutes.
As was underlined, at the initiative of our country in 2018 and 2019 resolutions of the General Assembly of the United Nations «Cooperation between the United Nations and IFAS» were adopted. In development of the proposal of Turkmenistan, which for the first time was sounded at the RIO+20 Summit, on creation of the Special program of the United Nations Special Program for the Aral sea basin (UN SPAS), in 2019 our country presented the draft of this program in the UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP). Later at the 79th session of ESCAP, the Resolution «Consideration of conditions of creation of the UN Special Program for the Aral sea basin» was adopted. With active participation of Turkmenistan in cooperation with the international structures, the 4th phase of the Program of actions on rendering assistance to the countries of the Aral Sea basin (ASBP-4) was also developed.
Throughout his speech, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov, noticed that moving towards the logic of consolidation of international efforts on a regional ecological track, our country has initiated establishment of the Regional centre of the United Nations for the technologies connected with climate change in Central Asia. In the near future, it will start to function in Ashgabat.
The head of the state also underlined that problems of the Aral Sea cannot be considered separately from others actual ecological challenges for Central Asian countries such as desertification, thawing of glaciers, problems of transboundary water resources management and some others. Speaking of it, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov expressed deep belief in the necessity to consider issues of ecological safety in their integrity and indissolubility as to a part of the general problem of maintenance of social and economic well-being of Central Asia, consent and good neighbourhood as defining factor of development and region prosperity. Such approach will allow to use effectively and fully all available resources and to concentrate on mainstreams.
Thereupon, having expressed expediency to provide harmonisation of national approaches to ecological calls, it is essential to strengthen co-ordinating functions of regional mechanisms of interaction, in particular, in the area of foreign policy and sectoral departments, the head of Turkmenistan also pointed out the importance of strengthening co-ordinating role of IFAS in the given process.
In this context, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov suggested to accelerate work on perfection and modernisation of contract-legal basis of IFAS and to define new problems of joint further activity.
- We consider correct to finish this process according to interests of all states-founders and to create possibility for more active interaction with the international financial institutions and donors on realisation of projects and the programs connected with the decision of a wide range of problems of the Aral Sea basin, - the head of Turkmenistan said. - We also start with necessity of essential and qualitative increase of level of interaction of IFAS with the international structures, first of all, specialised establishments and United Nations agencies. With that end, in view Turkmenistan suggests to consider the joint development of the new resolution of the General Assembly by the countries of Central Asia on the theme of cooperation of IFAS with the United Nations, taking into account changes occurring in the world, including geopolitical and economic character.
At the end of his speech, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov congratulated the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev on the start of the presidency in the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea and wished successes in the forthcoming activity.
Once again having thanked the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokaev for skilful and successful presidency in the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea and a high level of the present meeting of the Council of heads of states-founders of IFAS, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov wished all successes in their work.
Following the results of the meeting, a number of documents were signed. Among them: the Astana Statement of heads of states-founders of the International Fund for Saving the Aral sea; Decision of heads of states-founders of the International Fund for Saving the Aral sea on election of the President of the International Fund for Saving the Aral sea; Decision of heads of states-founders of the International Fund for Saving the Aral sea on the course of presidency of the Republic of Kazakhstan in the International Fund for Saving the Aral sea; Decision of heads of states-founders of the International Fund for Saving the Aral on the announcement of March 26 as International Day of the Aral sea, rivers of Amu Darya and Syr-Darya.
Having finished the program of his working visit to the Republic of Kazakhstan, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov headed towards the International airport named after Nursultan Nazarbayev of Astana city, from where he left home.
In few hours, the airliner of the head of Turkmenistan landed at the International airport of Ashgabat. There, officials met President Serdar Berdimuhamedov.
Thus, the working visit of the head of Turkmenistan to the Republic of Kazakhstan became an important stage in strengthening the multilateral dialogue, again having confirmed adherence of our country to regional cooperation. Participation of President Serdar Berdimuhamedov in the Regional Ecological Summit and in the next meeting of the Council of heads of states-founders of the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea testifies to readiness of Turkmenistan for transition from discussion of the general issues to realisation of concrete interstate projects.
