Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- On 18 May 2023, an international conference was held at the International Institute of Central Asia on the topic: "A closer look at water in Central Asia".

The conference was organized by the International Institute of Central Asia, the French Institute for Central Asian Studies, the French Embassy in Uzbekistan and the French Development Agency.

The conference was attended by the ambassadors of France and Uzbekistan, representatives of the diplomatic corps, international organizations, expert-analytical and research circles of Uzbekistan and France, representatives of ministries and departments, the media, as well as representatives of higher educational institutions of Uzbekistan.

“Uzbekistan attaches great importance to strengthening ties with the French Republic, which are developing in accordance with the agreement on friendship and cooperation between the two countries. It is noteworthy that during the last meeting, the Presidents of Uzbekistan and France agreed to bring relations to a high-level comprehensive partnership. During this visit, a solid package of documents was signed on various areas of bilateral cooperation, including issues of green development, environmental protection, mitigation of the negative effects of climate change and effective water resources management. In particular, a significant achievement was the signing between the Government of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the French Development Agency of a new Strategic Cooperation Program until 2025 in the amount of over 1 billion euros, which provides for specific joint projects in the field of agriculture, energy, green economy, urban development, water supply , the banking and financial sector and transport,” said Vladimir Norov, Director of the MICA in his speech.

During the conference, issues of efficient and rational use of water resources in Central Asia, prevention of negative consequences of climate change, introduction of innovative knowledge and successful experience in the process of solving these problems were discussed.

The participants of the event noted that the observed global climate changes in Central Asia continue to affect the intensive decline in the area of glaciers, which negatively affects the river basins that provide water resources to the countries located in the lower reaches of the water arteries.

Central Asia is located in an arid zone, far from humid oceanic atmospheric flows. This has led to the greatest vulnerability of the region associated with the climate crisis, and as a result, susceptibility to environmental disasters.

Glaciers are an important long-term source of fresh water. The two main river systems in Central Asia, the Syrdarya and Amudarya, flowing into the Aral Sea, are heavily dependent on seasonal snow and glacier melt. These rivers support the livelihoods of the population and economic development in the region of their residence.

The current unfavorable environmental conditions create high risks of emergencies and natural disasters, which pose a great threat to regional security.