Distinguished members of Parliament,
Honorable compatriots,

This year, I am addressing the Supreme Legislative Body and noble people of Tajikistan in growingly complicated situation in the current world, expansion of very dangerous phenomena of the century that is terrorism and extremism, unprecedented expansion of conflict of interests of superpowers for new division of the Globe which is further aggravating and complicating the political situation, as well as escalation of global financial and economic crisis in many countries of the world.

In the modern history of our country we started 2015 with an important political event – election of the members of Majlisi Oli and local assemblies.

I would like to especially note that the elections were held in a peaceful and stable environment and at high political level that once again showed the increasing political awareness and civic responsibility of people of Tajikistan.

I would like to avail myself of this opportunity and thank our noble people for their proactive participation in this important political event of the last year.

Last year, we also hosted a number of important events, such as International Conference to summarize the process of implementation of one of the initiatives of Tajikistan in the United Nations – International Decade for Action “Water for Life”, 2005-2015, the 700th Anniversary of the outstanding Philosopher of the East Mir Said Ali Hamadani and 3000th Anniversary of Ancient Hissar, which overall played an important role in expansion of national sense of responsibility, self-identification and self-consciousness of people of all ages in the country, as well as improving the country’s authority.

Despite the global financial and economic crisis and increased pressure on our national economy, thanks to hard work of our noble people in 2015, we ensured positive economic growth and sustainable macroeconomic indicators, increase of GDP by more than 48 billion somoni and 6 percent of its growth, and inflation accounted 5 percent.

The poverty rate decreased to 31 percent and GDP per capita increased by 3.8 percent. Savings in banks increased by 9 billion somoni or 35 % in the last year.

These indicators promoted improvement of public health and demographic trend, resulting in the average life expectancy equal to 73.5 years and the maternal and child mortality rate significantly decreased compared to previous years.

Maternal mortality has decreased 1.6 times and child mortality 2.5 times during the last five years.

More than 205 000 new jobs were created within state and sectoral programs in 2015. Public debt against GDP accounted for 27.9 percent last year, which is considered to be a stable indicator according to international measurements of debt management.

At the same time, I have to remind that in 2015 majority of sectors of our national economy to some extent were under severe impact of external factors, and this process has negatively affected the trade, balance of payments, exchange rate of national currency and public budget indicators.

To prevent such a situation in the future, the Government has adopted additional action plan, within which for it undertook influential measures to ensure development of real sector of economy, public support of entrepreneurship, attract more domestic and foreign investments, establish production industries and create new jobs, expand cooperation with trade partners and international financial institutions.

Within the anti-crisis action plan with a view of employing unemployed people and labor migrants returning to the country there has adopted “The State Program for Promotion of Public Employment for 2016 - 2017”, which should make it possible to create and restore more than 300 000 new jobs.

Last year, due to continuing negative trend in global markets, the price of main export commodities and products of our country decreased and the external factors significantly affected the national currency.

In addition to this, last year natural disasters, including cold weather in Soghd, floods and earthquake in GBAO and a number of Rasht valley districts and Khatlon region have caused more than 4 billion somoni of loss.

The Government has been undertaking all necessary steps to eliminate negative impact of natural disasters at the earliest.

First and foremost, we have been restoring and reconstructing residential houses of people and destroyed facilities, such as road and bridges, schools and medical facilities and power lines.

In 2015 compared to 2014, our international trade turnover reduced by 18 percent, including export by 9 percent, import by 20 percent and services by 7 % accordingly.

Today’s global economic condition requires from the Government to adopt additional measures to improve various sectors of the national economy in terms of the effective use of financial, industrial and natural resources and potentials, to promote effective fiscal  policy, strictly ensure effective use of budget funds, ensured food security, support and protect domestic producers, strengthen export capacity, especially create decent environment for development of entrepreneurship.

It should be noted that most of the instructions, directives and initiatives outlined in the Address of 2015 have been implemented within the available capacities and resources; however, due to decline in export and import, failure in implementation of some indicators of the state budget we were not able to increase wages, pensions and scholarships.

However, this initiative will be one of the highest priorities of the Government in 2016, as I always reiterate that ensuring better living standards of population to the extent possible is the supreme objective of the President and the Government.

Given the country's economic development, effective public finance management and stabilization of expenditures for implementation of measures foreseen in the last year’s address the next phase of increasing wages will be implemented from the first of July of this year.

Thus, salaries of employees of public administration institutions, law enforcement and military personnel will be increased by 15 percent, salaries of employees of educational institutions, including pre-school, secondary and higher education, and other educational research, cultural, sports and healthcare institutions – by 20 percent, and salaries of employees of social protection institutions, in particular employees of boarding houses for elderly, and persons with disability, home based social assistance units and recreational facilities for veterans of war and labor, and people equated to them – by 25 percent.

The minimum and maximum age-based pension and baseline pension as well as labor pension of citizens will be increased by 20 percent in average.

Alongside with this, the student scholarship and other types of scholarships will be increased by 30 percent, as well as the minimum wage will be increased by 60 percent – from 250 to 400 somoni.

The insurance part of the ensured pensions will also be adjusted. For financing of the mentioned initiatives around 1 billion and 323 million somoni will be allocated from public budget during the year.

Therefore, the Government is tasked to take concrete measures in this regard.

We are in a period when the implementation of a number of national and sectoral programs, including the first National Development Strategy is completed.

With a view to speeding up the activities to achieve our priority objectives and identifying further prospect of the country’s economic and social development National Development Strategy of Tajikistan up to 2030 was developed and it is under the review of ministries and agencies now.

Our earlier declared three national objectives remain as priority in this document and we are strongly intended to ensure their achievement in the nearest future.

These objectives will qualitatively change in upcoming period in order to ensure transfer from energy security to efficient use of electricity, from eliminating communication deadlock to transforming the country into a transit country, and from ensuring food security to providing public access to quality food.

In this regard, we pay priority attention to the efficiency of the economy’s real sectors, human development, production diversity, institutional capacity building and development of regions.

We foresee sustainable development of our country through industrial and innovated development and will make efforts to improve efficient use of recourses and possibilities in all aspects of economic and social sectors and we are already undertaking certain measures to avoid vulnerability of our national economy in a long term period.

With this regard, the Government needs to enhance its activities in earlier outlined areas, strengthen cooperation of the national and local authorities, development partners, private sector and civil society with a view to achieving national strategic objectives.

Industrial production is the engine of national economy, public employment, source of budget revenue and overall the most important factor for solution to social issues.

With a view to implementing these objectives and achieving industrial development a number of sectoral programs have been implemented so far which can promote expansion of primary processing of industrial raw materials and agricultural products.

A number of benefits are foreseen for the better use of industrial potential and increase in processing of local raw materials, including processing of cotton fiber.

In addition to this, a series of privileges have been granted for construction of the majority of important facilities and import of latest equipment and technologies the amount of which during the last 6 years amounted in 20 billion somoni and 4 billion somoni during the last year only. By these steps we have created opportunities for entrepreneurs to develop their business in the country.

Implementation of such activities and sectoral programs made it possible to increase the number of industrial companies, equip them with the latest technologies and increase the industrial production 1.6 times during the last ten years.

However, this indicator is not sufficient to ensure the full supply of the country’s consumption market and increase export.

Therefore, we need to increase the production of goods replacing import through the wide application of the latest technologies to meet market demands in local competitive products and undertake necessary measures to strengthen the country’s export potential and create new jobs.

Implementation of the Government’s policy in extraction and processing industry has showed that it is possible to establish the basis for overcoming the country’s dependence on import of coal, cement, and other construction materials and ensuring their further export.

In addition, we have planned during the next two years to create industrial regions in several districts of the country by launching two oil refinery factories with the capacity of about two million tons, three cement factories with the capacity of more than three million tons, textile factories with the capacity of processing of 52 000 tons of cotton fiber and producing 150 million square meters of cotton fabrics, construction of three chemical factories, a non-ferrous metal processing factory with the capacity of 1400 kg of gold, a metallurgic company with the capacity of 50 000 tons of zinc, and 50 000 tons of lead and another metallurgic company with the capacity of 400 000 ton.

It is worth mentioning that operation of industrial facilities, particularly mineral, ferrous and non-ferrous metals processing factories depends on electric power and other infrastructures.

In this regard, while planning and constructing industrial facilities, it is necessary to take into account the location of these companies from the sources of raw materials, sufficient volume of electric power, water, roads and other production and social infrastructures, as well as focus on application of energy saving technologies.

The issue of industrialization of the country has been duly considered in the strategy of future development of the country.

This step would promote increasing full processing of raw materials, increasing production of local competitive products and strengthening the country’s export potential, creating a decent environment for improvement of foreign trade balance and addressing social issues.

Therefore, the Government, including the ministries of industry and innovative technologies, agriculture and other relevant ministries and agencies need to develop sectoral programs within identified priorities with a view to addressing strategic objectives and ensure their timely and quality implementation.

Our foreign economic relations are expanding thanks to ensuring local production and reduction of administrative and technical barriers and the world community recognizes Tajikistan as a reliable trade partner.

However, the share of import exceeds the demands due to the misbalance of local production in our international economic activities.

Therefore, we need to pay attention to three main areas in our international trade policy strategy – encouragement of export, development of production of export oriented products and simplification of trade procedures.

With this regard, heads of ministries of economic development and trade, industry and innovative technologies, agriculture and other relevant ministries and agencies need to develop a program on promotion of export and production of products replacing import for a midterm period and submit it to the Government for consideration.

Within the implementation of this program, a number of activities need to be undertaken to establish favorable environment for wide processing and marketing of products, increase the number of export products, including reaching production of not less than 20 types of value added products replacing import and additionally ensure production of 20 types of such products for export.

As I have outlined, industry development primarily depends on electric power. However, we have to emphasize that the electric power generated in the country is not yet sufficient to ensure sustainable economic development.

Therefore, alongside with launching new power facilities we need to ensure their efficient use, particularly focus on energy saving equipment and technologies.

In 2016, we plan to commission additional energy facilities with the capacity of 300 MW. Alongside with this, we also plan to commission new industries with the capacity of 350 MW this year.

Though, we have limited extraction of oil and gas, and fuel refinery, however, we have huge hydropower potential and their rational use would increase our possibilities to ensure sustainable economic development and strengthen export capacity by several times.

Future global development largely depends on renewable energy. Because, it is an important factor for ensuring sustainable economic and social development, development of “green economy”, protection of environment, prevention of natural disasters associated with the climate change and reduction of emission of carbon gas.

Tajikistan, as a country with huge water resources, is committed to rational and fair use of these resources through international and regional cooperation, and acknowledges continued implementation of water cooperation diplomacy as the only tool to address challenges in this area.

Access to energy is essential for achieving Sustainable Development Goals, particularly it has become a topical issue in developing and mountainous countries.

Therefore, access to energy for ensuring socio-economic development and poverty reduction is of particular importance for Tajikistan.

In this context, ensuring implementation of Tajikistan’s proposal to declare a new international decade of “Water for Sustainable Development” would be of an important step.

The Government considers hydropower resources as a national wealth. Therefore, we have identified the development of hydropower sector as one of our priorities and in collaboration with international partners we will continue the repair, reconstruction and construction of energy facilities.

During our independence we have implemented 32 public investment projects involving more than 12 billion somoni in the energy sector.

By the end of 2016 the second phase of the Dushanbe-2 Thermal Power Plant (300 MW) amounting 2.5 billion somoni will be launched, which will significantly improve power supply of the population. Also, we will start the construction of CASA-1000 (252 km) regional power transmission line amounting 2.2 billion somoni, which will connect our power grid with the power grids of other countries in the region and promote the expansion of economic cooperation with neighboring countries.

With a view to achieving energy security, the amount of 36 billion somoni we will be allocated from the budget funds and foreign investments; this year only, 4 billion somoni will be allocated for the development of the sector.

The planned construction and reconstruction of power plants in the nearest future will make it possible to ensure full access by the population and various areas of our national economy to electric power and create favorable environment for exporting the excess electricity to the countries of the region in summertime.

One of the engines for economic growth of Tajikistan and employment of population is agriculture, its sustainable development has been ensured over the last years.

As a result of measures undertaken so far, we have ensured real development of gross agricultural products, and during the last ten years it has increased by almost two times, and currently it comprises 23 percent of our GDP in average.

It is worth noting that improvement of land management, effective use of water and land resources, and introduction of re-planting has been promoting the increase of agricultural products.

Over the last 15 years in the agricultural sector 42 public investment projects amounting more than 3.7 billion somoni have been implemented. At present, nine public investment projects amounting 1.5 billion somoni are under implementation in this sector.

With the aim of implementing the Decree of the President of Tajikistan of 27August 2009 "On Additional Measures for Development of Horticulture and Viticulture in the Republic of Tajikistan for 2010-2014" new orchards and vineyards have been created in the area of 50 000 hectares, and the program has been over implemented, and thus we have created more than 100 000 new jobs.

With a view to continuing this trend, the Government has adopted a new program on development of horticulture and viticulture for 2016-2020, which foresees creation of new orchards and vineyards in the area of 20 000 hectares in the next five years.

In this regard, local entrepreneurs need to focus on establishment of enterprises equipped with the latest technologies for processing of fruits and vegetables, production of end products, expansion of the area of greenhouses, logistics centers, as well as refrigerated warehouses to store fruits and vegetables.

Over the recent years, gross agricultural output has been annually growing by more than 7 percent in average and it made 3.2 percent in 2015.

Currently, the consumption market reserves in the country have been created from the local agricultural products and this process has a positive impact on the abundance of the consumption products and their price.

In this regard, I would like to avail myself of this opportunity to thank all farmers of the country for their hard work in increasing production, enriching the consumption market and food supply of the population.

We have a very favorable environment and necessary resources, effective and proper use of which will make it possible to supply the population with food products that lead us to achievement of one of the national priority goals – food security.

In this regard, the Government has to undertake necessary measures to eliminate all existing obstacles towards export of fruit and vegetables, including dried fruits.

Establishment of transport infrastructure is one of the main preconditions for advancement of the national economy taking into account the mountainous relief of Tajikistan.

During the independence, in the transport sphere 45 public investment projects amounting more than 12 billion somoni in total have been implemented, and more than 2000 km of roads have been renovated, built and commissioned.

At present, 14 projects amounting 5.5 billion somoni are under implementation in the sector.

In 2015, we have completed reconstruction of the Dushanbe-Tursunzade highway with the length of 57 km amounting more than 800 million somoni and the Ayni-Panjakent highway with the length of 113 km amounting more than 700 million somoni.

This year, we will complete the reconstruction of the Vasee-Khavaling road with the length of 88 km amounting 370 million somoni.

In addition, the Dushanbe-Qurghanteppa railroad (the Vahdat-Yavan section) will be commissioned which will ensure a linkage between the country’s capital city and one of the largest regions of the country – Khatlon region.

We have constructed more than 190 km of railroad during the independence period.

In 2016, we will start the construction and renovation of several important transport facilities, such as the reconstruction of a part of the Dushanbe-Tursunzade highway (from Avicenna statue to the western gate of the city) amounting 480 million somoni and the Isfara-Khujand road amounting more than 310 million somoni.

With a view to bringing the highway of Dushanbe-Kulob-Kalaikhumb-Khorugh-Kulma in line with the international standards this year we are planning to renovate the two most difficult sections of this highway, which is Kulob-Shuroobod with the length of 32 km, and Shkev-Kalaikhumb with the length of 26 km. The total amount of this project amounts in more than 800 million somoni.

Currently, the preparation works for start of renovation of Kalaikhumb-Vanj automobile road with the length of 110 km and total amount of 2 billion somoni are underway.

Currently, more than 3000 people have been working in implementation of transport investment projects only. In 2015, about 510 km roads have been reconstructed and rehabilitated and 140 bridges have been built and rehabilitated.

In addition, 324 km of roads connecting districts and towns and jamoats amounting more than 70 million somoni have been rehabilitated and reconstructed. Besides, with the use of funds from the Presidential reserve fund 81 km of intercity roads in 21 districts and towns of the country amounting 90 million somoni were reconstructed and repaired.

In this regard, heads of relevant ministries and agencies, as well as regional and town authorities need to undertake necessary measures to expand activities for repairing and rehabilitation of roads connecting districts, towns, jamoats and other populated areas, as well as drinking water supply of the population.

Now, with a view to supplying population of several districts and towns with safe drinking water, seven public investment projects amounting almost 1 billion somoni are under implementation.

In general, 2.5 billion somoni have been allocated for these objectives during the independence period.

Distinguished participants,

The financial situation of our country has become vulnerable as a result of the global economic crisis. The budget of 2016 amounting 18.3 billion somoni has been adopted by taking into account the effective use of existing resources and implementation of the nationally indentified priorities, which is more than 3 billion somoni or 20 percent compared to 2015.

However, I have to outline that the revenue part of the budget is significantly subject to external factors and indirect taxes.

In these circumstances we have to ensure the budged revenue by expanding business and entrepreneurship activities and other sources in order to achieve our ultimate objectives related to the effective use of expenditure part of the budget.

Therefore, Ministry of Finance and the National Bank of Tajikistan need jointly with other relevant public agencies to undertake necessary measures to ensure timely implementation of adopted documents with a view to ensuring the countries financial sustainability and decreasing risks leading to crisis in financial market, ensuring progressive development of investment market, improving efficiency of financial allocations and quality of public services within strategic objectives.

In addition, the Accounts Chamber, the Agency for State Financial Control and Combating Corruption jointly with the Ministry of Finance need to strengthen measures to ensure transparent and targeted use of budget resources and operation of public and joint stock companies with Government shares, as well as prevent corruptive actions.

Over the recent years the banking system has been improving with regard to issues of loans to the production sector, growing the number of customers and increasing the number of microfinance institutions, as well as involving public investment and savings.

In 2015, the credit institutions have issued loans amounting more than 12 billion somoni and small loans amounted 5 billion somoni, one billion of which is issued to the residents of remote mountainous districts.

The number of customers of bank and microfinance institutions has increased by 15 percent during the last year.

In this regard, our monetary policy should be aimed at encouraging important sectors of economy for better management of production and creation of new jobs through improvement of financial conditions and other banking services. In addition, it is necessary to undertake efficient and timely measures for ensuring the national currency sustainability, improving reliability of the banking system, as well as effective and secure operation of the payment system.

In this regard, the National Bank of Tajikistan, the Ministry of Finance and the Tax Committee need to undertake additional measures for ensuring effective and sustainable operation of the banking system, encouragement of investment for development of banks and loan delivery, improvement of the quality of banks’ loan portfolio and accessibility of banking services to customers, strengthening of payment system infrastructure through application of the latest equipment and technologies and activation of the security market.

Distinguished members of the Parliament,

The State and the Government consider the entrepreneurship development as one of the important areas of its activities and undertake necessary measures for supporting entrepreneurs and ensuring favorable environment for development of the sector through provision of various benefits in taxation, customs duty and introduction of moratorium for inspection of businesses.

With a view to developing small and medium enterprises and ensuring access of businesses to loans, we have established business support fund funded by public budged which issued long-term soft loans amounting 95 million somoni to production businesses in 47 districts and towns. We have planned to allocate 120 million somoni from the public budget to this fund.

In addition, the banks and microfinance institutions have issued 7 billion somoni of loans to production businesses in 2015 only, which is more than 26 percent compared to the previous year.

Particularly, as a result of measures undertaken for strengthening business environment and climate investment our country’s ranking has improved and according to the assessment of international financial institutions the country has been included in the last three years into the list of top 10 countries in the field of reforms.

Over the last ten years, more than 90 public investment projects amounting 12 billion somoni have been implemented in the country and at present 63 other projects amounting 19 billion somoni are under implementation.

In addition, there has been attracted more than 7.5 billion somoni as foreign investment in 2015 only, almost 4 billion of which is foreign direct investment.

In the current period of development, public and private sectors and civil society need to proactively participate in the implementation of our priorities.

In addition to this, entrepreneurs need to make more efforts to expand their activities, to import latest technologies, to increase production of competitive products and goods oriented for export, as well as to create new jobs.

Distinguished participants,

Public regulation of labor relations, public employment, creation of new jobs, occupational training and public migration directly impact on the public living standards.

Implementation of the state programs for promotion of public employment made it possible to create more than 1 million permanent, temporary and seasonal jobs over the last ten years, and only public employment agencies ensured employment of 350 000 residents, 30 percent of whom are women.

Alongside with this, the Ministry of Labor, Migration and Public Employment and the Ministry of Education and Science need to bring the vocational education process in line with international standards and real demand of the labor market in order to enhance professional training of citizens and labor migrants.

Taking into consideration the situation with current domestic and foreign labor markets and employment of significant number of citizens the Ministry of Labor, Migration and Public Employment with other relevant ministries and institutions, heads of provinces, towns, districts, organizations, and enterprises, as well as entrepreneurs, heads of primary and secondary vocational institutions need to take necessary measures for creation of new jobs by using all resources and opportunities, and undertake additional measures to establish occupational and language courses for labor migrants.

Alongside with this, efficient measures need to be undertaken to widely introduce home-based jobs, including carpet-weaving, sewing and other handicrafts.

The issue of occupational courses and training of professionals is the most important task of heads of ministries of labor, migration and public employment, education and science, and other ministries and agencies which have educational institutions. Heads of provinces, districts and towns have to take steps for strengthening material and technical basis of educational institutions, particularly adult education centers, as well as undertake necessary measures for training of professionals competitive in the labor market.

In line with the implementation of instructions of the Head of State in 2015, more than 200 000 people obtained different specialties in all institutions of the Ministry of labor, Migration and Public Employment and other ministries and agencies with educational institutions and they are ready for working in both domestic and international labor markets. This process should be continued to improve quality and level of occupational training and study of foreign languages.

In this regard, heads and persons in charge of the sector need to use possibilities of vocational training lyceums, colleges, higher and secondary education institutions and adult education centers to further expand occupational courses.

The Government, with a view to ensuring progress in science and education as a priority area of its social policy, uses all available possibilities and pays a priority attention to development of technical and natural sciences, and takes necessary measures to improve quality of education, introduce and expand the use of information and communication technologies, including the Internet in the educational process, to ensure efficiency of teachers activities and their professional development.

With a view to implementing the objectives of the National Development Strategy reforms and innovations in the education sector are underway. At present, the secondary education institutions have been fully moved to per capita financing and the financial system in these institutions is well regulated.

In this regard, ministries of finance, and education and science need to undertake measures to ensure gradual transfer of pre-school, primary, secondary and higher education institutions to per capita financing system.

It is worth mentioning that 3.15 billion somoni is allocated for development of education sector in 2016 which is more by 10 percent compared to 2015 and 13 times more compared to previous 10 years.

Last year, the Government has adopted “The State Program on Identification and Capacity Building of Talents for 2015-2020”, within which educational centers for talented children will be established in provinces, towns and districts.

By the instruction of the Head of State, for the first time an intellectual development school has been established within the Academy of Sciences of Tajikistan in Dushanbe this year, and the Ministry of Education and Science is tasked to submit to the Government of Tajikistan a draft State Program on establishment of similar schools in administrative centers of all regions.

Thereby, we will be able to create more opportunities for human development and encouragement of juniors to modern and quality education.

It is worth noting that the Program on computerization in Tajikistan for 2010-2015 was completed and it was implemented by 106 percent throughout the country.

Alongside with this, persons in charge of education are instructed to undertake measures to develop a Concept of Continuous Education for 2016-2022 and submit it for consideration to the Government, and undertake additional measures for introduction of such type of education.

Heads of ministries of education and science, economic development and trade, and rectors of higher education institutions are instructed to ensure that during the next 4 years all general education institutions have necessary number of teachers in exact sciences, IT, and foreign languages, particularly English and Russian teachers.

They are also tasked to undertake regular measures to ensure professional development and retraining of teachers and annually report to the Government on the situation in this field.

At present 50 000 out of 170 000 students of the country study at teacher training institutions and more than 10 000 students study medicine.

However, we still need 6 000 physicians and 8100 paramedical staff in health institutions, and 3600 teachers annually.

Once again, I would like to emphasize that the country’s future significantly depends on teachers and development of science and education. We have to remember that only educated nation can raise educated and knowledgeable professionals worthwhile of their period, can ensure progress and can obtain reputation in the contemporary community.

In this regard, once again, I would like to address parents and persons in charge of education, heads of local executive authorities and the whole civil society to make efforts, so that their children do not drop out of schools, and they need to pay due attention to the education of juniors and youth. At the same time, it is necessary for them to strengthen their cooperation with schools and to create favorable environment for the education of their children.

The Government will undertake necessary measures to improve material and technical basis of educational institutions to equip laboratories with the latest equipment and also to train researchers out of talented young people.

The Academy of Sciences needs to further mobilize scholars for the implementation of the country’s strategic objectives, to research important issues of the economy and to contribute in the country’s sustainable development.

In addition, scholars in geology and natural science need to closely cooperate with relevant ministries and agencies to explore, survey, analyze natural resources of the country and include them into the roster of public resources.

With regard to the current situation in the world which is influenced by political, economic, cultural and moral crises, our social science scholars need to implement historical achievements of our people and focus their research on strengthening our state and nation as the most important factor of protection and strengthening of our State Independent.

In this process, the research institutions need to undertake measures to align the subjects of their research with our current policy and research important issues of national governance by taking into account the progress of national economy, future of our country and addressing the topical issues of the society.

We rely on our scholars, particularly young scholars and hope that in the nearest future they will apply the achievements of science and innovation in local production and thereby make their significant contribution in growth of our national economy.

One of the objectives of our Government in this regard is application of innovative technologies in medicine. Lately, we have been widely introducing latest technologies in medical facilities which has made it possible to improve the quality of diagnosis and treatment of patients.

However, we are still lack of specialists skilled in proper and effective application of the latest technologies.

Alongside with addressing healthcare and social protection issues, training of such specialists should be one of the priority areas in activities of the heads and persons in charge of the sector. I have also to note that we are still lack of medical specialists in a number of districts and towns.

The problem of employment of medical specialists especially in Khatlon province is a matter of our concern. The population of the province is more than 3 million and there are 11.3 doctors per 10 000 people, which is very low indicator compared to other regions of our country.

This indicator accounts for more than 77 doctors in Dushanbe, 23 – in GBAO and 20 – in Soghd.

Alongside with this, the Medical University which is the only medical institution in the country, has not been able to train necessary number of medical specialists and its physical infrastructure is not sufficient for training more students in order to meet the country’s demand based on the demographic growth compared to 77 years since the establishment of the University when the population of Tajikistan was less than 1.5 million.

Taking into account this situation, the Government, including the Ministry of Health and Social Protection, the Ministry of Education and Science, other relevant agencies are tasked to undertake necessary measures to establish another higher medical education institution in Khatlon region and to ensure its launch by the beginning of the next academic year. In addition to this, they need to undertake additional measures to arrange professional development and retraining of medical specialists, including users of medical electronic devices.

The Government, including Ministry of Health and Social Protection and other relevant agencies, as well as the management of the Tajik Medical University are tasked to undertake necessary measures to ensure full implementation of the requirements of the Program for Development of the Medical University of Tajikistan and to submit to the President their well-grounded conclusions regarding expansion of the educational and physical infrastructure of the University in the shortest possible term.

The Government has been increasing annually funding of the medical sector every year and this year its funding reached 1.3 billion somoni, which is 14 times more compared to 2005.

I would like to note with great satisfaction that at present our medical specialists using the opportunities created by the Government have reached the international level in their works. This made it possible to significantly reduce the number of people visiting other countries for diagnosis and treatment purposes.

In addition, the infectious diseases rate has decreased by 24 times in average, including TB prevalence has decreased by 17 times over the last ten years.

The two years experience of integration of health care and social protection has led to significant results in treatment of persons with disability, social support of poor families, their access to medical services, operation of daycare institutions and rehabilitation of children with disabilities.

I would like to especially emphasize that though the situation with implementation of public policy in social protection, particularly public social benefits to persons with disabilities, orphans and poor families at the local level has improved significantly, however, we need to make more efforts to regularly improve living standards of vulnerable and needy segments of population.

The Government considers the youth related public policy as a key issue and for these purposes necessary measures are being undertaken to support constructive initiatives of the young people.

We need to ensure a favorable environment and raise our children in a way, so that they can choose the right direction in their lives, get modern knowledge and learn modern occupations, and have a position they deserve in the society.

We are proud of our young people, because they have been making their valuable contribution to the development of our country with high level of patriotism and sense of responsibility.

In this regard, the committees of youth, sports and tourism, women and family, religion and national traditions and other relevant authorities, including the heads of regions and districts, are tasked to pay priority attention to the issue of efficient use of creative energy of youth and women, due selection and allocation of qualified specialists of public service from among the well-educated and skillful girls and women and encourage them to learning, acquiring modern professions.

Distinguished members of Parliament,

Within the growingly aggravating and rapidly changing political situation in the world and continuously growing inter-governmental and inter-religious conflicts and organized transnational crimes, protection of our borders and ensuring security of our country and nation is a primary and vitally important issue for us.

The current situation in the region and the world requires from the law enforcement, security and military bodies to seriously strengthen their activities and stand ready for implementation of their duty and responsibilities.

The heads of these agencies have to pay regular attention to physical training and moral education of the military servicemen and personnel alongside with their thorough military training.

Heads and staff of law enforcement and military authorities need to be cautious in implementation of their duties and responsibilities, ensuring rule of law, legal order, law and order, ensuring peace and stability in the society and counteraction to the modern threats that is terrorism, extremism, illicit drugs trafficking and other transnational crimes.

Alongside with thism I have to note that the situation in the world and the need to ensure  peace and stability in the country requires from us to improve the material and technical basism as well as financing of law enforcement and military agencies with a view to improving their professional training and military preparedness.

In this regard, the Government has to increase funding of these agencies from the public budget every year and strengthen their material and technical basis in accordance with the current requirements and the world’s political situation.

The recent events in the world, aggravation of the situation in Middle East, Asia, Northern Africa, Europe and other parts of the world shows that terrorism and extremism become a real threat to the contemporary world.

Activities of terrorist organizations are more expanding and their activation, particularly in our neighboring country of Afghanistan has further complicated the situation.

Therefore, the threat of terrorism and extremism to the world security and the security of every individual is no less than the threat of nuclear weapon.

Combating terrorism and extremism requires the creation of an environment of trust and respect of everybody’s interest and unification of all countries of the world to overcome this common threat. The use of double standard policy with regard to terrorism and extremism significantly impedes efficiency of the effort by the world community in joint fight against these phenomena and in contrary creates new contradiction between political and military coalitions and makes the situation more unstable.

I have reiterated at the United Nations and other influential international organizations that a terrorist does not have a homeland, a nationality and a religion.

Beside, the terrifying phenomenon of terrorism which mostly takes place under the religious slogans does not have any relation to Islam, in contrary it is committed by the enemies of this Holly Religion and first and foremost the Islamic countries and the Muslims of the world are the victims of the terroristic severity.

It is regretful that some international organizations close their eyes on open financing of terrorist and radical organizations by a number of countries and foundations, violation of human rights, unbearable situation and drowning of thousands of refugees in their way to migration, including women and children.

Therefore, one can say that the situation with the international law has weakened and independence of national states has become vulnerable as a consequence of the use of force in international relations, the facts that some global and regional superpowers counteract with each other to protect their interests and a number of countries lose their governance system under the influence of external powers and factors, and growing expansion of terrorism and extremism.

Correction of such situation requires strengthening legal framework for combating terrorism and extremism, including the issue of punishment of the countries promoting terrorism, ensuring international investigation of terrorism and trial of political and military leaders, the so called “charity funds”, entrepreneurs and other entities promoting terrorism through international courts.

Independent Tajikistan, which experienced terrifying period of counteraction to extremism and terrorism in the early 90th of the last century and lost tens of thousands of lives, has always been a pioneer in fighting against these phenomena.

Terrifying event of early September, the armed rebel which took place with direct funding and sponsorship of the former leadership of the Islamic Revival Party of Tajikistan once again showed that some foreign political circles still follow their evil-minded intention against the Tajik Nation and want to implement their destructive plans through hired agents and impose a alienated political system on our people.

But the traitors of the Tajik Nation and their foreign sponsors forgot that the honorable people of Independent Tajikistan would not give anybody any chance to again interfere their peaceful and stable life as they did in early 90s of the last century through provocations and conspiracy, and to confuse our hard working people in their way to prosperity.

Thanks to this unity and proactive support of our people, military and law enforcement agencies managed to destroy the criminal plans of terrorists and ensured peace of our country.

These events, the current trends in the globe and the regional situation call on us to be always politically cautious and to stand ready for protection of security, national accord, rule of law and peace and stability in our country.

This situation requires ensuring relevant legal and regulatory framework and zero tolerance to extremism and terrorism within the State strategic agenda.

In this regard, the Prosecutor General’s office is instructed in cooperation with other relevant public agencies to develop a National Strategy of Tajikistan on Counteraction to Terrorism and Extremism for 2016-2020 at the earliest possible and submit it to the Government.

Within expansion of counteraction to terrorism and extremism, we need to expand and specify the entities fighting against these phenomena and alongside with this to strengthen liability and punishment for commitment of crimes against the constitutional order and State Security, terrorism and extremism related crimes, betrayal, complicity in such crimes, including against organizers and promoters.

Therefore, the Prosecutor General’s office, the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the State Committee for National Security and the National Legislation Center are tasked to thoroughly analyze and review the provisions of the Criminal Code and other relevant laws covering these issues and provide their specific opinion regarding inclusion of necessary amendments and additions to these documents.

With a view to ensuring counteraction to the use of internet for extremism and terrorism purposes the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the State Committee for National Security, the Prosecutor General’s Office and relevant agencies need to submit to the Government their well-grounded proposals regarding establishment of a center for fight against crimes with a use of IT and cyber terrorism.

Once again, I would like to emphasize that strict observance of laws, requirements of military laws and order by the military authorities in the country should be under regular control of heads of relevant public agencies and authorities, and the prosecutor’s office.

We have stated for several times that income from illicit drugs trafficking which makes tens of billions of US dollars every year is one of the main sources of funding of international terrorism, therefore, fight against illicit drugs trafficking is a part of counteraction to terrorism and extremism.

The law enforcement and military agencies of Tajikistan have confiscated more than 113 tons of drugs, including 34 tones of heroin since 1994. This amount of drugs could get 50 million people to drugs addiction.

The law enforcement and military agencies should enhance their activities in this regard and undertake necessary measures to ensure a strong barrier to drugs trafficking, reveal and liquidate organized drug smuggling groups, and improve the tactics of their fight against this phenomenon.

Another threat which impedes sustainable development of state and negatively impacts its reputation at the international level is corruption.

Over the recent years, we have ensured relevant legal and administrative framework to fight against this improper behavior, however, with the view to reducing the tension of corruptive factors we need to ensure more proactive participation of the civil society in this regard and establish zero tolerance environment against corruption.

Alongside with this, the heads of ministries and agencies, local authorities and public servants need to undertake additional measures to prevent these phenomena in all public agencies.

Distinguished Members of the Parliament,

Tajikistan stands ready for development of effective tools for harmonization of national objectives and international efforts, unification of efforts of all stakeholder countries in proper reaction to the threats of the contemporarily world.

Today, we would like to reiterate that Tajikistan pursues the policy of “Open doors”, peace and impartiality oriented foreign policy and in implementation of this policy our country stands ready to expand its friendly relations based on mutual respect, equality and mutually beneficial cooperation with all countries of the world.

In this context, we continue expansion of our constructive and multidimensional relations with our traditional partner, including with the Russian Federation and we will strengthen effective cooperation of the two countries in terms of fight against the current threats and the concerns.

Tajikistan in its peace oriented foreign policy seeks the currently formulating global system free of wars and conflicts, violence and evil mind and fanaticism against nation, religion and cultures, and based on equal and beneficial partnership between all countries.

All threats to global and regional peace, stability and security should be overcome through a constructive dialogue and on the basis of international legal norms, primarily the Charter of the United Nations as a global body for regulation of international relations.

Distinguished members of Parliament,

Dear compatriots,

Despite the unsustainable economic and financial situation continuing at the global level, we need to make all efforts possible, so that through hard work and constructive initiatives of our noble people we could achieve our three strategic goals that is energy security, elimination of communication deadlock and food security.

In this process, for the purpose of ensuring security, peace and stability of society, and national accord each of us is required to make double efforts for the sake of protecting and enhancing the achievements of independence, sustainable development of the national economy, exploration and implementation of science and technology innovation in all areas of life, comprehension of the primary issues of the country's progress and addressing them in a timely manner.

In addition, the development and the efficient use of human resources, addressing social issues, including training and education of the younger generation in the spirit of pride for national statehood and finally achieving a decent standard and quality of life for citizens are among the top priorities, for which all state agencies and authorities, the public should strive to make efforts in unity and solidarity.

The year of 2016 is a historical year for the glorious people of our country, since we will celebrate the 25th Anniversary of the Independence of our country and I believe that we all will celebrate this landmark event with appropriate achievements.

In this regard, members of the Government, heads of ministries and agencies, civil servants, employees of governmental institutions, enterprises, as well as all honest and patriotic citizens of the country, including you, dear members of Parliament need to feel higher sense of responsibility than ever in this historical period.

Each of us is obliged to perform well enough in a creative way for further strengthening the achievements of independence, enhancing the economic potential of our state, improving living standards of our people and ensuring prosperity of our Motherland, through faithful and honest efforts to achieve our strategic goals at the earliest possible in order to fulfill our civil duty before the public and the Government of Tajikistan.

In the period of independence, we all experienced difficult and hard phases several times and overcome them proudly. We eliminated the threat of destruction of our state and split of our nation, and achieved progress of our state and society.

We all need to be thankful for having our country and state, as well as peace and stability in our country and we need to work harder for the sake of better future and prosperity of our Tajikistan.

With a view to further improving living standards of our population, we all need to ensure efficient use of resources in all areas and avoid unnecessary expenditures and we have to raise our children in the same way.

Today, the glorious people of Tajikistan are well aware that strengthening principals of the state and national governance, improving living standards and ensuring prosperity of our land is primarily associated with the strengthening of self-identity, self-awareness and patriotism.

Now I can confidently say that we, relying on the creative force of our people and thanks to their faithful and hard work, we are reaching our good objectives, which is primarily ensuring better environment for improved living standards of every individuals in our country.

Our hard working and strong-will, proud and patriot people, as well as our compatriots living and working in various countries of the world always support and promote our state policy in achieving this good will.

I would like to thank every individual, both young and elderly people of our country for their support from the bottom of my heart.

I wish to the noble people of Tajikistan, our overseas compatriots, and all of you – dear participants – good luck, health and happiness in practical implementation of our good and constructive intentions and plans.

Thank you.

SAFED-DARA! SKI IN TAJIKISTAN THIS SEASON!

We are delighted to inform on the latest great news on the most significant developments in the winter tourism industry of Tajikistan!

Today, one of the most famous ski resorts in Central Asia – “Safed Dara” after complete renovation and reconstruction opens its doors and welcomes visitors for adventurous ski and outdoor recreational activities.

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POSITION 

of the Republic of Tajikistan 

on Priority Issues 

of the Agenda of the 70th session of the UNGA

1. The forthcoming UNGA 70th session is called upon to become an important milestone in consolidation of actions undertaken by the UN member states on maintaining international security and sustainable development. The United Nations is the most reputable universal international organization, and it remains the central platform for achieving consensus on international security and development, for coordinating collective efforts of the international community at addressing global challenges and threats of the new generation. The basic norms and principles of the UN Charter continue to be of fundamental significance for intergovernmental relations.

2. It is not possible to address new issues without strengthening and reforming the UN system. The comprehensive reform of the UN should contribute to strengthening and enhancing of its effectiveness, so that the UN could timely and adequately respond to the developments around the world, and to efficiently address today’s challenges and threats. The principles for the UN reform should be in harmony with the UN Charter principles and goals. We support the constructive discussions, within the framework of the Ad Hoc Working Group, on revitalization of the work of the General Assembly (AHWG), aimed at searching for ways of enhancing the role and efficiency of the GA. The reform of the Security Council is an integral part of the comprehensive reform of the UN. We call for an equitable representation in the Security Council and enlargement of its membership in both categories. We are interested in a broad and equitable representation of interests of developing countries during the SC reform.

3.The UN plays the central role in the organization of a timely and coordinated response to conflicts in the world and regions. The success of actions in the sphere of prevention and settlement of conflicts depends on efficient use of tools of preventive diplomacy and mediation, concerted search for diplomatic and peaceful ways of resolving crises and disputes, broadening of interaction and partnership with regional and subregional organizations. Measures on post conflict rehabilitation should include a qualitative interaction with the host governments, reinforcement of national potential and government institutions, introduction of effective mechanisms of mobilization and coordination of external resources, real assistance in rehabilitating the foundation and infrastructures for development, and addressing economic and social issues. The UN peacemaking activities, including peacekeeping operations and special political missions , are vital tools for maintenance of peace and security, settlement of conflicts, and post-conflict rehabilitation. Taking into account the ever-increasing needs in peacemaking 2 

activities, we would increase the participation of the Tajikistan police officers in the UN peacekeeping operations.

4.Stable peace in the Middle East can be achieved only through a decision based on peaceful coexistence of two independent states, Palestine and Israel. We support the willingness of Palestine to take its place in the national community as a full-fledged member. We stand for a speedy resumption of negotiations between the State of Palestine and Israel.

5. We support the efforts of Afghanistan at building up and reinforcing the progress in addressing the issues of the transit period, strengthening of the national dialogue and reconciliation. We call for expanding a targeted assistance to Afghanistan aimed at economic rehabilitation, strengthening of the social sphere and creation of new jobs in the country.

Involvement of Afghanistan into the process of a multifaceted regional cooperation is key for success of the efforts undertaken by the international community. We are willing to take part in the rehabilitation of the social and economic infrastructure of Afghanistan through connecting the transport arteries of our two countries, creating an “energy bridge” CASA1000, providing the Afghan population with essential commodities and training specialists.

6. Strengthening of multilateral mechanisms of control over weapons, disarmament and non-proliferation is key to maintaining global security and stability. Establishment of nuclear free zones is an important component of nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation, expanding of cooperation on peaceful use of nuclear energy, and strengthening of regional and international peace and security. We emphasize the importance of acceleration of ratification of the Protocol to the Central Asian Nuclear- Weapon-Free-Zone Treaty (CANWFZ) signed on May 6, 2014 at the margins of the NPT PrepCom Conference. We call for a speedy enforcement of the Comprehensive Nuclear- Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT).

7. We attach importance to the efficient implementation of the Convention on the prohibition of the use, stockpiling, production and transfer of anti-personal mines and on their destruction (the Ottawa Convention). We actively call for Central Asia free from mines threat and strengthening of cooperation in the field of humanitarian demining.

8. The response to the ever-increasing threat of terrorism and extremism, the global challenge of today, should be comprehensive, with the UN as a coordinator. The UN global counter terrorism strategy, the UNGA and UNSC resolutions, and UN counterterrorism conventions form the backbone of joint fight against terrorism. The efforts should be focused on elimination of military infrastructure of international terrorism and blockage of the channels of its political, military and financial support, prevention of use of Internet for radicalization of moods, for recruiting and propaganda of extremism and violence.

Regional organizations play an important role in combating terrorism and extremism. We call for expanding the cooperation between the UN CTC and regional organizations, including OSCE, SCO, CSTO and CIS.

9. Prevention of illicit drug trafficking that has turned into a breeding ground for terrorism and organized crime, requires joint and coordinated actions of the part of the entire international community. During the period of its membership in the UN Commission on 3

Narcotic Drugs Tajikistan will focus its efforts on broadening efficient interaction and cooperation on combating the increase of global narcotic threat.

The forthcoming UNGA Special session on the world drugs problem in April 2016 is expected to provide a unique opportunity for searching for new and additional ways of strengthening of cooperation on combating the roots of drug problems and dealing with their consequences. In this context, in May 2015 there was held a High level International conference on consolidation of efforts of the international counterdrug cooperation. We do hope that the participants of UNGA Special session on the world drugs problem will support the initiative of the President of the Republic of Tajikistan to declare the years 2016-2020 as “A Five year Period for Global Measures on Preventing Drug Abuse and Promotion of Healthy Lifestyle”.

10. Accelerated spread of information and communication technologies (ICT) not only provides broad opportunities for development but also poses new and complex problems in the field of security. We support the activities of the United Nations Group of Governmental Experts (GGE) on Developments in the Field of Information and Telecommunications in the Context of International Security. We believe that the efforts should be aimed at preventing ill-intended use of ICT, expanding of information exchange and mutual support in preventing illegal actions involving use of ICT, and also at strengthening of measures of confidence, cooperation and capacity building.

11. The WSIS + 10 review High-level meeting to be held in December 2015 is an important milestone for discussions of the role of ICT in achieving sustainable development. Our hope is that alongside with this subject, the meeting will focus on bridging the digital divide and setting up information and communication infrastructures, strengthening of confidence and security, and preservation of cultural and linguistic diversity.

12. The UN Human Rights Council (HRC) is a central forum for streamlining a dialogue and cooperation in the field of promotion and protection of human rights. The main priorities pursued by Tajikistan in HRC are strengthening of international mechanisms of human rights protection, bona fide enforcement of the commitments undertaken in this area, expanding of multilateral cooperation in the field of promotion and protection of human rights. We support the continuation of a constructive dialogue within the implementation of second cycle of the Universal Periodic Review.

13. We condemn all forms of discrimination, in particular, racism, xenophobia and related intolerance that ignores human rights and insults human faith, dignity, culture, nationality and other human values. We support comprehensive implementation of and the follow-up to the Durban Declaration and Program of Action.

14. We note the central role of the UN in combating human trafficking, which turned into one of the worst forms of violation of human rights and freedoms. More attention should be paid to the strategies aimed at protection and rehabilitation of victims of human trafficking. Setting up regional and international mechanisms of cooperation to combat human trafficking is an important component in the struggle against this evil. We participate in the work of the Group of Friends United against human trafficking.

15. The UN Commission on the Status of Women is the main intergovernmental forum for promotion of gender equality, empowerment of women and increasing their participation in all spheres of life. The 60th session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women provides a timely opportunity for discussing the ways of active and creative involvement of 4

women in the process of achieving sustainable development, promoting equality and eliminating all forms of violence against women.

16. The central event of the forthcoming UNGA will become the UN Summit for the adoption of the post-2015 development agenda, to be held on 25-27 September 2015. We hope that the Summit will sum up the progress achieved during the intergovernmental process of development of the post-2015 development agenda and will adopt a new program of action for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030.

The main goals and most important prerequisites to sustainable development are as follows:

eradication of poverty and inequality, promotion and introduction of sustainable models of production and consumption, protection and rational use of natural resources, promotion of sustainable economic growth and social integration, creation of employment opportunities and dignified jobs for everyone.

17. The plans and programs of action in the field of sustainable development should be reinforced by adequate means of implementation, in particular, by mobilization of additional financial recourses, reduction of burden of external debts, expanding of technology transfers and reinforcement of national capacity. In this regard, efficient implementation of the decisions of the Third International conference on financing for development (Addis Ababa, July 13-16, 2015) acquires special importance. It is obvious that the new conditions and realities require renewal and optimization of global partnership for sustainable development.

18. The High Level Political Forum on sustainable development is called to become an effective and universal platform for a regular and constructive dialogue and review of progress in the implementation of the SDGs, and for development and coordination of subsequent actions on achieving sustainable development.

19. The Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) is the central intergovernmental forum for consideration of social, economic and ecological issues of the UN agenda. We have been actively participating in the following ECOSOC subsidiary bodies: Commission on Narcotic Drugs and Commission on the Status of Women. Tajikistan is willing to make its contribution to the implementation of the newpost-2015 program of action. In this regard, the Government of Tajikistan made a decision to nominate, for the first time, its candidature for membership in the ECOSOC for the term of 2017-2019 at the elections to be held in spring 2016. We do count on the support of the Tajikistan’s candidature to the ECOSOC.

20. Access to modern and cost efficient energy services is key to achieving sustainable development. We believe it is essential to intensify the efforts of the UNGA and ECOSOC, and “UN-Energy” at providing a wide access to energy. Tajikistan actively supports the initiative of the UN Secretary-General “Sustainable energy for all” and an International Decade of sustainable energy for all, 2014-2024.

21. Lack of access to sea complicates integration of land locked developing countries (LLDC) into the system of multilateral trade and has a negative impact on other aspects of sustainable development. We call for the provision of a regime of preferential treatment in trade to LLDCs. We call for elimination of all artificial and economically unsubstantiated 5

barriers and obstacles in transport and communications that do not contribute to development and strengthening of cooperation and partnership.

22. Climate change is a serious and complex challenge that undermines the efforts of the international community at achieving sustainable development. The response to this challenge should be timely and coordinated and should be based on short- and long-term measures. It is essential to strengthen the existing financial mechanisms and create effective mechanisms for technology transfer and promotion of development of developing countries capacity for adaptation to climate change. We reiterate the importance of continuation of the intergovernmental talks within the UNFCCC and support the efforts of the parties at reaching agreement on international legally binding document by the end of this year.

23.Climate change also brings about natural disasters, whose intensity and frequency have been increasing, which seriously affect the achievement of sustainable development. It is necessary to strengthen, under the UN coordination, the cooperation on risks reduction and mitigation of consequences of natural disasters. We attach particular importance to the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030, which is called upon to promote improvement of systems of early warning, to increase investments in programs on natural disasters risk reduction and to render financial support to developing countries.

24.2015 is the final year of the International Decade of Action “Water for Life”, 2005-2015”. The participants of the High-level events, held in accordance with UNGA resolution 69/215, noted the progress made in the implementation of the Decade, called to intensify the efforts at the implementation of the SDGs, to improve coordination of actions undertaken by member states, international and regional organizations, and to broaden water cooperation and diplomacy. In addition, the High-level International Conference on the Implementation of the International Decade held in Dushanbe on 9-10 June2015 recommended considering the ways of preparation and declaration of a new international decade to promote a timely and full achievement of the SDGs.

25.We support the First World Humanitarian Summit to be held in Istanbul on May 23-24, 2016. We expect that the Summit will become the main platform for a constructive discussion of ways for improving and enhancing humanitarian activities, reduction vulnerability, and other urgent aspects of the UN humanitarian agenda. In this regard, in Dushanbe on July 28-30 there was held a regional consultation for the countries of Central Asia and South Asia on preparation for the forthcoming humanitarian Summit. Our hope is that the recommendations developed during this consultation will be a constructive contribution to the discussions at the forthcoming humanitarian Summit.

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On June 8 the Embassy of the Republic of Tajikistan in London presented to the British Museum a collection of ethnographic artefacts from Tajikistan.

The representatives of Tajikistan Embassy met with the Director of the British Museum Mr. Neil MacGregor who extended his gratitude for this valuable contribution.

The project has been implemented following the initiative of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Tajikistan Sirojidin Aslov made during his visit to the British Museum in July 2014.

Photoreport is available on: www.facebook.com/tajembassyuk

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Ҳамватонони мӯҳтарам,

Чуноне, ки хабардор ҳастед, рӯзҳои охир дар минтақаҳои мухталифи ҷумҳуриямон, аслан дар Вилояти Мухтори Кӯҳистони Бадахшон ҳодисаҳои шадиди селфароӣ сурат гирифтанд. Офатҳои табии зарари зиёд ба хонаводаҳои ноҳияҳои Шуғнон, Ванҷ ва Рашт оварда, боиси шаҳодати ҳафт нафар шаҳрвандон гаштаанд.

Сафорат бо эҳсоси ҳамдардии амиқ якҷоя бо Ҷамъияти Тоҷикистону Британияи Кабир (Пайванд) кӯмаки моддӣ барои зарардидагон ҷалб карда истодааст.

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On June 9 the Embassy of the Republic of Tajikistan in London in collaboration with "British Expertise International" - the leading UK private sector organisation for British companies, held a seminar for the UK business community.

The main purpose of the event was introduction of a new Double Taxation Agreement (DTA) between Tajikistan and the UK, presentation of the investment opportunities in Tajikistan, implementation of DFID projects and programs in the country and review of the EuropeAid project, Development of the Fruit & Vegetable Processing Industry in Tajikistan & Kyrgyzstan.

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TEXT OF TAJIKISTAN-UK DOUBLE TAXATION AGREEMENT IS AVAILABLE AT THE LINK BELOW

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0Bz6Jz1uLKmdneUFvaU9OTmo4Zjg/view?usp=sharing

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Participation of the UN Secretary-General at the High Level International Conference on the implementation of the International Decade for Action “Water for Life”, 2005-2015

On 20 May 2015 at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Tajikistan there was held a briefing for the heads and representatives of the diplomatic missions and international organization accredited in Dushanbe during which it was informed that Mr. Ban Ki-Moon, the UN Secretary-General would participate at the High Level International Conference on the implementation of the International Decade for Action “Water for Life”, 2005-2015 to be held on 9-11 June 2015 in Dushanbe.

It was particularly highlighted that the participation of the UN Secretary-General at the Dushanbe Conference confirms the importance of this international event for the United Nations and the entire international community, especially in light of the development and adoption of sustainable development goals, one of which is sustainable management of water and sanitation for all.

The High Level International Conference on the implementation of the International Decade for Action “Water for Life”, 2005-2015 will be held in accordance with the UN General Assembly resolution of 19 December 2014, entitled “International Decade for Action, “Water for Life”, 2005–2015, and further efforts to achieve the sustainable development of water resources.”

The primary objective of the Conference is a comprehensive discussion of the issues of implementation of the International Decade for Action “Water for Life”, 2005-2015, which will later play a crucial role in conducting a comprehensive review of the implementation of the International Decade by raising the awareness of  the wider international community about its results.

With a view of successful holding of the Conference, the National Preparatory Committee, chaired by the Prime Minister of Tajikistan, a Working group, consisting of the representatives of ministries and agencies, as well as the Secretariat of the Conference are continuing the work to attract UN Member States, international and regional organizations, basin organizations, the private sector and other stakeholders to actively participate in the Conference.

The Conference programme consists of two high-level plenary session, two thematic sessions on the implementation of the Decade, six high-level round tables, four pre-conference events on such themes as "Water and children", "Water and Women", "Water and least developed countries and small island developing states” and "Water and mountainous countries". The pre-conference events will be hold on 8 June 2015 in the National Library building.

Regarding the participation in the work of the Conference it is worth mentioning that as of today the Conference secretariat has received confirmation of participation of about 72 delegations of the UN Member States, including at the level of prime minister, deputy prime ministers, as well as foreign ministers and ministers of water resources and irrigation of the UN member states.

Among other institutions and specialized agencies of the United Nations as of today such organizations as Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), UNESCO, the World Health Organization (WHO), the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF), UN-Water, UN-Women, UNEP, UNU, UN-HABITAT, ISDR, etc. have confirmed their participation.  

There are confirmations of participation of the UN Regional Commissions – UNECE, UNECA and UNESCAP.

From the international and regional financial institutions the World Bank, the Islamic Development Bank, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, the Eurasian Development Bank will participate at the Conference.

Thus, today more than 50 international and regional organizations have already confirmed their participation at the Conference.

The total number of registered participants for today is about 750 people representing all regions of the world.

The Dushanbe Conference will provide a unique opportunity for all stakeholders to exchange views, knowledge, achievements and practices for the implementation of the International Decade, the difficulties and challenges in the implementation of the decade, and, at the same time, will develop key recommendations for the next steps for post 2015 period. 

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On May 9, 2015 wreath laying ceremony marking the 70th anniversary of the WWII Victory Day took place at the Soviet War Memorial in the Imperial War Museum in London.

The event was attended by Soviet and British veterans, Ambassadors of the CIS countries in London, UK officials, compatriots from CIS countries.

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Statement

by the President of the Republic of Tajikistan His Excellency Mr. Emomali Rahmon

at the 7th World Water Forum

(12 April 2015, Daegu, Republic of Korea)

Dear Mr. Chairman,

Dear participants of the Forum,

Ladies and gentlemen,

First of all, let me express my sincere gratitude to the Government of the Republic of Korea for invitation to participate in such an important global water event as well as for creation of excellent conditions, and kind hospitality.

The theme of the current Forum – “Water for our future”, undoubtedly, is in sync with the time and corresponds to the existing global tendencies for defining our future actions for the post-2015 period, in which water resources should be given a strategic place.

Tajikistan is the initiator of a number of vital “water” resolutions of the UN General Assembly, and two initiatives – the International Decade for Action "Water for Life", 2005-2015 and the International Year of Water Cooperation, 2013 – were declared by me for the first time at the water forums – at the 3^rd Forum in Kyoto and within the framework of the 5^th Forum in Istanbul.

I am confident that the current Forum will also become a platform for new initiatives and ideas, aimed at solving water problems for our common safe future.

Dear participants of the Forum,

Certain progress has been achieved in the framework of the Millennium Development Goals, nevertheless the modern global challenges suggest hardly optimistic expectations. According to the World Water Development Report presented in March of this year already in 2030 more than 40% of the world population will face water shortage, and in 2050, when the world population exceeds 9.0 billion, water shortage will be felt even more intensely.

We share the view that it is necessary to implement urgent steps directed at the real actions.  The analysis shows that our actions are mostly oriented on investments in the so called “soft” components, while the main role in this process is played by infrastructural projects.

Another important moment of our future actions should be orientation on the “green” growth, where water resources as a renewable energy source also should occupy an important place.  Today the share of hydropower makes up abound 20% of the world’s electric energy production, while only about 45% of the economically profitable hydropower potential is used. At the same time 1.3 billion people in the world do not have access to electric energy and about 2.6 billion people use solid fuel (biomass) to prepare food.

Agriculture nowadays consumes about 70% of the world’s exploited amount of freshwater and in the developing countries this indicator reaches 90%. By 2050 agriculture is supposed to produce more than 60% of the world food stock, in developing countries – 100%. Inefficient use of water in agriculture has already led to salinization of 20% of world’s irrigable land.

An effective approach in his case is the “water-energy-food security nexus” that ensures the balanced account of interests of all important sectors.

Application of this approach undoubtedly creates a strong basis for ensuring the adequate water cooperation not only at the cross-sectoral level but also at the transboundary river basins. It is necessary to state that among existing 263 transboundary watercourses in 158 of them there are still remaining difficulties in defining concrete mechanisms for cooperative management and their realization.

Important measure for achieving water goals is sustainable financing. Unfortunately, financial and economic crises of the resent years undermine the countries’ efforts to provide relevant funding of the water sector. In this case creation of different national, regional and global funds and other initiatives for improvements in funding of the water sector are timely for assisting developing countries, including the least developed countries and the small island states, in addressing these issues.

Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen,

Tajikistan occupies a leading position in the world in possession of water resources per capita. Around 60% of water resources in Central Asia are formed in the territory of the country.

However, deficiency of advanced infrastructure and limited financial capacity do not allow to fully use the water resources for the benefit of the economy of the country.

Despite the sufficient water resources today only 57% of the population of the country has access to the safe sources of fresh water and about 30% – to improved sanitation. The problem is particularly serious in rural areas where the fresh water supply makes up only about 40%, and improved sanitation – no more than 10%.

A serious problem for Tajikistan, where 93% of the territory are occupied by mountains, are water related natural disasters. Mudflows, landslide and floods annually cause great damage to the country’s economy, and sometimes, unfortunately, human casualties.  For instance, for the last 5 years the total damage from floods in Tajikistan exceeded hundreds of millions of US dollars.

Another important challenge influencing the water resources is climate change that leads to intensive melting of glaciers.  According to the experts, in the 20^th century Tajikistan had lost more than 30% of the volume of its glaciers. An object of such concern is one of the World’s largest glaciers – the Fedchenko glacier situated in the center of Pamirs – which had retreated by 400 meters losing about 15 cubic km of its volume.

For ensuring its sustainable development Tajikistan, among other important tasks, has defined 3 top priorities: achievement of food security, energy security and overcoming the communication isolation. Achievement of food and energy security depends on the rational use of water and energy resources of the country, the increase of efficiency of existing systems and application of modern technologies in the water and energy sectors.

The achievement of sustainable development in Tajikistan is possible only through the rational development and use of water and energy resources and relevant financing of these sectors in the country.

Distinguished participants of the Forum,

I would like to draw your attention to the fact that the abovementioned water problems in Tajikistan are very typical for other countries of Central Asia as well.

High rates of population growth in the region (2.0-2.5%), as well as climate change have a negative impact on the condition of water resources and this problem is becoming more urgent from year to year.

Today natural flows of rivers in the region do not reach the Aral Sea and the economy of the region develops in conditions of increasing deficit of water. At present, the total water use is 130-150% in the Syrdarya river basin and 100-110% in the Amudarya river basin.

According to the exiting estimations the sufficiency of water supply per capita in the region would reach the critical level – less than 1.7 thousand cubic meters/year in 2030. In comparison, in 1960 this indication was about 6 thousand cubic meters/year per capita.

The next vital issue is the water supply to the agriculture. From year to year, the   irrigation of more than 8.5 million ha of land in the region, in terms of variability of the hydrological cycle, increased frequency of dry years and drought, becomes more problematic. Irrigated agriculture uses more than 90% of the region's water resources, and accordingly, the consequences of climate change to water resources would be tangible in this very sector.

In this conditions, the rational use of water resources, especially through introduction of water-saving technologies, modernization of irrigation and drainage systems, new approaches for irrigation, adequate accounting of water resources, development and implementation of other adaptation measures are of vital importance.

Another problem that emerges from year to year is the issue of electric power supply in Central Asian countries. Despite the huge potential, especially renewable hydropower resources, some countries in the region in wintertime face electricity shortage. While existing hydropower potential of the region can cover by 3-4 times more the needs of the region in electric power, the share of hydropower in the total production is only about 25%. In this case, the existing hydropower is used only by 10%. For example, in Europe, this figure is about 70%, and in Switzerland - 90%.

In our opinion, the integrated approach in solving the issues of water and energy supply and food security is timely in our region. This approach contributes to the rational use of natural resources, considerable decrease in emission of carbon dioxide to the atmosphere, as well as to the “green” growth directed at the use of renewable energy sources.

Only mutually beneficial cooperation in terms of rational use of water resources will provide sustainable water supply to the population and countries of the region, improving the environment. It will also allow the countries of the region to have additional economic benefits, the volume of which, according to some estimation, would make up to 5% of regional GDP.

Dear Chairman

Dear members of Forum

This year the International Decade for Action “Water for Life”, 2005-2015 is being completed and in this regard it is necessary to conduct comprehensive assessment of the actions implemented during the decade, define the difficulties and problems in the process of implementation of the Decade’s goals, as well as plan the further actions in the post 2015 period.

Undoubtedly, the implementation of the International Decade for Actions “Water for Life” contributed to consolidation of our joint efforts at the local, national, regional and international levels in order to enhance measures in achievements of the water related goals.

However, the modern global challenges and threats, including the population growth, climate change, increase of natural  hydro meteorological  phenomena, water shortage and its low quality significantly influencing the poverty level, the increase of infectious diseases, child and maternal mortality, still require the mobilization of our efforts and relevant measures.

Therefore, today I would like to propose to announce the Second International Decade of Action under the motto “Water for Sustainable Development”. I am confident that by announcing  of this decade of action the world community will continue the implementation of the indicated measures within the framework of the International Decade “Water for life”, enriching it with new measures and efforts for achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals. We count on the support of this proposal by the International community.

Dear Ladies and Gentlemen,

To conclude, I would like to remind that according to the UN General Assembly resolution entitled “International Decade for Action “Water for Life”, 2005-2015 and further efforts to achieve sustainable development of water resources” adopted last year in December, there will be held a High-Level International Conference on the implementation of the International Decade on 9-11 June 2015 in Dushanbe.

I believe that in the framework of the Dushanbe Conference with participation of the representatives of the UN member states, regional and international organizations, as well as NGOs and the private sector there will be conducted a comprehensive assessment of the implementation of the International Decade “Water for Life” and outlined the next steps for the achievement of sustainable development in the field of water resources.

Taking this opportunity, once again, on behalf of the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan I would like to invite all interested parties to participate in this international event and contribute to its success.

Thank you for attention!

.

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

On 19 December 2014 the UNGA has adopted a resolution (A/RES/69/215) entitled “International Decade for Action, "Water for Life", 2005-2015, and further efforts to achieve the sustainable development of water resources” calling upon member countries, UN system institutions, including the “UN-Water” and other organizations to comprehensively evaluate progress achieved in the implementation of the Decade and continue taking steps for achieving internationally agreed water-related goals, including those indicated in the outcome document of the Rio+20 Conference, entitled “The future we want”.

The resolutionas the previous water related initiatives of Tajikistan has found wide support at the UN General Assembly and more than fifty UN Member States, including Afghanistan, Algeria, Armenia, Australia, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Belarus, Bolivia, China, Croatia, Cuba, Eritrea, Finland, Georgia, Haiti, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Islamic Republic of Iran, Iraq, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Malaysia, Mongolia, Montenegro, Morocco, New Zealand, Pakistan, Paraguay, Philippines, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Republic of Moldova, Russian Federation, Senegal, Seychelles, Singapore, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Switzerland, Syrian Arab Republic, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Togo, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, Venezuela, Yemen have become the co-sponsors of the resolution. The adoption of the resolutionby consensusreaffirmsthe factthat waterinitiativesby Tajikistanare of global importanceand are widely supportedby the UN Member States.

The resolution implies the convening of the two important events:High-level interactive dialogue of the sixty-ninth session of the General Assembly in New York within the week after the World Water Day on 22 March, 2015; and the High Level International Conference on the implementation of the International Decade for Action “Water for Life”, 2005-2015 in Dushanbe, Tajikistan. The Government of Tajikistan as the host of the latter event which is scheduled on 9-11 June, 2015 in Dushanbe, alongside with the the “UN-Water” and other UN institutions, international and regional organizations has already started its preliminary work in order to facilitate the whole process.

Thus, aimed at successfully holding the Conference, as well as developing a comprehensive Programme of the Conference with the participation of all categories of water users and decision-makers the International Steering Committee of the Conference from among the representatives of the partner countries, international and regional institutions, river basin organizations, NGOs, the private sector and other stakeholders has been established. Moreover, within the National Organizing Committee under the chairmanship of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Tajikistan a Special working group (from all relevant ministries of Tajikistan) has been summoned to actively engage in organizational matters of the Conference.

The main goal of the Conference is a comprehensive discussion of the issues of implementation of the International Decade for Action “Water for Life”, 2005-2015, which will later play a fundamental role in conducting comprehensive review of the implementation of the International Decade with bringing its results to the notice of wider international community.

As the international community approached the year 2015 it’s important to recall that on23 December 2003 the UNGA at its 58th session adopted the resolution A/RES/58/217. In accordance with the resolution the period 2005–2015 was declared as the “International Decade for Action, “Water for Life” (www.un.org/waterforlifedecade), the main goals of which alongside with promotion of efforts to fulfill international commitments made on water and water-related issues by the year 2015 were also the development of plans for integrated water resource management and water-use efficiency in rendering assistance to the developing countries.

Today the need for a comprehensive assessment and review of the activities carried out during this period, identification of the impediments preventing countries from implementation of the Decade goals, as well as planning of the further activities for the post 2015 period become very critical. Therefore, conducting the High Level International Conference on the implementation of the International Decade for Action “Water for Life”, 2005-2015 in Dushanbe, Tajikistan (June 9-11, 2015) in this particular year is considered as a timely and effective step towards raising the awareness of the international community about the water sector trends and mobilizing efforts of the governments, UN institutions, international and non-governmental organizations, as well as other parties at all levels involved in the water problems solution.

The Conference will gather together the representatives of the UN member countries’ governments, UN institutions, international and regional organizations, international financial institutions, business communities, non-governmental organizations, civil society, as well as scientists and experts. Invitations to the UN member countries, international and regional organizations and other partners will be sent on behalf of the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan and the National Organizing Committee in due course.

For more information about the Conference, visit www.waterforlifeconf2015.org or contact the Secretariat of the Conference:

E-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ;

Конфронси байналмилалии сатҳи баланд роҷеъ ба натиҷаҳои татбиқи Даҳсолаи байналмилалии амал “Об барои ҳаёт”, 2005-2015

9 декабри соли 2014 Маҷмаи Умумии СММ қатъномаеро (A/RES/69/215) таҳти унвони “Даҳсолаи байналмилалии амал “Об барои ҳаёт”, 2005-2015, ва талошҳои минбаъда ҷиҳати дастрасӣ ба рушди устувори захираҳои об” қабул кард, ки он аз кишварҳои аъзои СММ, сохторҳои СММ, аз ҷумла ”СММ-Об” ва дигар созмонҳо даъват ба амал овардааст, то арзёбии фарогири дастовардҳоро дар раванди татбиқи Даҳсола ва идомаи талошҳо барои расидан ба ҳадафҳои дар сатҳи байналмилалӣ ҳамоҳангшудаи марбут ба об, аз ҷумла ҳадафҳое, ки дар санади ниҳоии Конфронси Рио+20 таҳти унвони “Ояндае, ки мо мехоҳем” инъикос ёфтаанд, анҷом диҳанд.

Қатъномаи мазкур мисли ташаббусҳои пешини Тоҷикистон дар мавзӯи об дар Маҷмаи Умумии СММ дастгирии ҳамаҷониба ёфта, зиёда аз 50 кишвари узви Созмон, аз ҷумла Афғонистон, Алҷазоир, Арманистон, Австралия, Озарбойҷон, Бангладеш, Беларус, Боливия, Хитой, Хорватия, Куба, Эритрия, Финландия, Гурҷистон, Гаитӣ, Маҷористон, Ҳиндустон, Индонезия, Ҷумҳурии Исломии Эрон, Ироқ, Япония, Қазоқистон, Кувайт, Қирғизистон, Малайзия, Муғулистон, Монтенегро, Мағриб, Зеландияи Нав, Покистон, Парагвай, Филиппин, Қатар, Ҷумҳурии Корея, Ҷумҳурии Молдова, Федератсияи Россия, Сенегал, Ҷазираҳои Сейшел, Сингапур, Испания, Шри-Ланка, Судон, Швейтсария, Ҷумҳурии Сурияи Араб, Тайланд, Тимори Шарқӣ, Того, Туркманистон, Украина, Венесуэла ва Яман ҳаммуаллифи он гардиданд. Бо иттифоқи оро қабул гардидани қатъномаи мазкур ифодагари он аст, ки ташаббусҳои Тоҷикистон дар мавзӯи об аҳамияти ҷаҳонӣ дошта, мавриди таваҷҷуҳ ва пуштибонии кишварҳои аъзои Созмони Милали Муттаҳид қарор доранд.

Қатънома баргузории ду чорабинии муҳимро, аз ҷумла Муколамаи интерактивии сатҳи баланди иҷлосияи 69-уми Маҷмаи Умумии СММ дар Ню-Йорк дар давоми ҳафтаи баъди Рӯзи ҷаҳонии об (22 марти 2015) ва Конфронси байналмилалии сатҳи баланд оид ба татбиқи Даҳсолаи байналмилалии амал “Об барои ҳаёт”, 2005-2015 дар ш.Душанбе, Ҷумҳурии Тоҷикистон пешбинӣ менамояд. Ҳукумати Ҷумҳурии Тоҷикистон ба сифати кишвари мизбони чорабинии мазкур, ки баргузории он 9-11 июни 2015 дар ш.Душанбе ба нақша гирифта шудааст, дар якҷоягӣ бо “СММ-Об” ва дигар ниҳодҳои СММ, созмонҳои байналмилалӣ ва минтақавӣ корҳои муқаддамотиро барои пешбурди пурраи ин раванд аллакай оғоз намудааст.

Ҳамин тавр, бо мақсади бомувафаққият гузаронидани Конфронси мазкур, ҳамчунин таҳияи Барномаи фарогири Конфронс бо иштироки тамоми гурӯҳҳои истифодабарандаи об ва намояндагони салоҳиятдор аз байни кишварҳои шарик, муассисаҳои байналмилалӣ ва минтақавӣ, созмонҳои ҳавзаи дарёҳо, созмонҳои ғайриҳукуматӣ, бахши хусусӣ ва дигар тарафҳои манфиатдор Кумитаи байналмилалии ҳидояткунандаи Конфронс таъсис дода шудааст. Ғайр аз ин, дар доираи Кумитаи тадорукоти миллӣ таҳти раёсати Сарвазири Ҷумҳурии Тоҷикистон ҷиҳати иштироки фаъол дар ҳалли масъалаҳои тадорукотии Конфронс Гурӯҳи кории дахлдор ва Котибот (иборат аз намояндагони вазоратҳои дахлдори Тоҷикистон) таъсис дода шудааст.
Ҳадафи асосии Конфронс баррасии фарогири масъалаҳои татбиқи Даҳсолаи байналмилалии амал “Об барои ҳаёт”, 2005-2015 мебошад, ки баъдан дар гузаронидани бознигарии фарогири раванди татбиқи Даҳсолаи байналмилалӣ ва пешниҳоди натиҷаҳои он ба таваҷҷуҳи ҷомеаи васеи байналмилалӣ нақши калидӣ хоҳад бозид.

Дар ҳоле ки ҷомеаи байналмилалӣ ба соли 2015 ворид гашт, муҳим ба ёдоварист, ки 23 декабри 2003 Маҷмаи Умумии СММ дар иҷлосияи 58-уми худ қатъномаи A/RES/58/217-ро қабул карда буд. Тибқи қатъномаи болозикр давраи солҳои 2005-2015 “Даҳсолаи байналмилалии амал “Об барои ҳаёт”, 2005-2015 эълон гардид (www.un.org/waterforlifedecade). Ҳадафи асосии он дар баробари пешбурди талошҳо ҷиҳати иҷрои тааҳҳуди байналмилалӣ дар масъалаҳои марбут ба об то соли 2015, ҳамчунин таҳияи нақшаҳо барои мудирияти муштарак ва босамари захираҳои об дар расонидани кӯмак ба кишварҳои рӯ ба рушд мебошад.

Имрӯз зарурат пеш омадааст, ки барои арзёбӣ ва бознигарии фарогири фаъолият дар ин давра, муайян намудани мамониатҳое, ки садди роҳи кишварҳо барои татбиқи ҳадафҳои Даҳсола мегарданд, ҳамчунин тарҳрезии фаъолияти минбаъда барои давраи баъд аз соли 2015 чораҳои муассир андешида шаванд. Аз ин рӯ, баргузории Конфронси байналмилалии сатҳи баланд оид ба татбиқи Даҳсолаи байналмилалии амал “Об барои ҳаёт”, 2005-2015 дар ш.Душанбе, Ҷумҳурии Тоҷикистон (9-11 июни 2015), ба вежа дар соли ҷорӣ, иқдоми саривақтӣ ва муассир дар самти баланд бардоштани сатҳи огаҳии ҷомеаи байналмилалӣ доир ба тамоюлҳои марбут ба об ва сафарбар кардани талошҳои ҳукуматҳо, сохторҳои СММ, созмонҳои байналмилалӣ ва ғайриҳукуматӣ, ҳамчунин дигар тарафҳои зидахл дар тамоми сатҳҳо, ки ба ҳалли масъалаҳои об машғуланд, ба ҳисоб меравад.

Конфронс намояндагони ҳукуматҳои кишварҳои аъзо, сохторҳои СММ, созмонҳои байналмилалӣ ва минтақавӣ, муассисаҳои байналмилалии молиявӣ, ҷомеаҳои соҳибкорӣ, созмонҳои ғайриҳукуматӣ, ҷомеаи маданӣ, ҳамчунин олимон ва коршиносонро ба ҳам хоҳад овард. Даъватномаҳо аз номи Ҳукумати Ҷумҳурии Тоҷикистон ва Кумитаи тадорукоти миллӣ ба унвони кишварҳои аъзо, созмонҳои байналмилалӣ ва минтақавӣ ва дигар шарикон тибқи тартиби муайянгардида, фиристода мешаванд.

Международная конференция высокого уровня по итогам реализации Международного десятилетия действий «Вода для жизни», 2005-2015гг.

19 декабря 2014 года Генеральная Ассамблея ООН приняла резолюцию A/RES/69/215 под названием «Международное десятилетие действий «Вода для жизни», 2005-2015гг. и дальнейшие усилия по достижению устойчивого развития водных ресурсов», призывающую страны-члены, институты системы ООН, в том числе, «ООН-Вода» и другие организации провести всеобъемлющую оценку реализации Международной декады и продолжить принятие мер для достижения согласованных на международном уровне целей по воде, включая те, что указаны в итоговом документе Конференции Рио+20 «Будущее, которое мы хотим».

Резолюция также, как и прежние водные инициативы Республики Таджикистан, была широко поддержана в рамках Генеральной Ассамблеи ООН, и более 50 стран-членов Организации, включая Азербайджан, Алжир, Армению, Австралию, Афганистан, Бангладеш, Беларусь, Боливию, Венгрию, Венесуэлу, Гаити, Грузию, Индию, Индонезию, Иран, Ирак, Испанию, Йемен, Казахстан, Катар, Китай, Кубу, Кувейт, Кыргызстан, Малайзию, Марокко, Монголию, Новую Зеландию, Пакистан, Парагвай, Республику Корея, Республику Молдова, Российскую Федерацию, Сейшельские Острова, Сенегал, Сингапур, Сирийскую Арабскую Республику, Судан, Таиланд, Тимор-Лешти, Того, Туркменистан, Украину, Филиппины, Финляндию, Хорватию, Черногорию, Швейцарию, Шри-Ланку, Эритрею, Японию выступили в качестве соавторов документа. Принятие резолюции консенсусом вновь подтвердило тот факт, что водные инициативы Таджикистана имеют глобальное значение и пользуются широкой поддержкой государств-членов ООН.

В соответствии с данной резолюцией предусмотрено проведение двух важных мероприятий международного уровня: Интерактивный диалог высокого уровня в рамках 69-й сессии Генеральной Ассамблеи ООН, намеченный к проведению в первую неделю после 22 марта 2015 года - Всемирного Дня водных ресурсов в г. Нью-Йорк, США и Международная конференция высокого уровня по реализации Международной декады в июне 2015 года в г. Душанбе, Таджикистан. Правительство Республики Таджикистан, являясь принимающей стороной второго мероприятия, которое пройдет 9-11 июня 2015 года, совместно с «ООН-Вода» и другими институтами ООН, а также международными и региональными организациями уже приступило к предварительной работе для оказания содействия общему подготовительному процессу.

В целях успешного проведения Конференции и разработки всеохватывающей программы мероприятия с участием всех категорий водопользователей и лиц, принимающих решение, был создан Международный Руководящий Комитет из числа представителей стран-партнеров, международных и региональных институтов, бассейновых речных организаций, НПО, частного сектора и других заинтересованных сторон. Кроме этого, для обеспечения активного участия Таджикистана в решении организационных вопросов Конференции в рамках Организационного Комитета под председательством Премьер-министра Республики Таджикистан была создана соответствующая Рабочая группа и Секретариат, состоящие из представителей соответствующих министерств и ведомств страны.  

Основной целью Конференции является всестороннее обсуждение вопросов реализации Международного десятилетия действий «Вода для жизни», которое впоследствии сыграет важнейшую роль в проведении всеобъемлющего обзора хода выполнения Международной декады с доведением ее результатов до широкой международной общественности.

В связи с тем, что международное сообщество вступило в 2015 год, важно напомнить, что 23 декабря 2003 года Генеральная Ассамблея ООН на своей 58-й сессии приняла резолюцию A/RES/58/217, провозгласившей период 2005–2015гг. Международным десятилетием действий «Вода для жизни» (www.un.org/waterforlifedecade). Основными целями Десятилетия являлись содействие усилиям по выполнению взятых на международном уровне обязательств по вопросам воды и водоснабжения к 2015 году, а также разработка планов комплексного управления водными ресурсами и эффективного водопользования при оказании помощи развивающимся странам.

Сегодня особенно важно всесторонне оценить мероприятия, осуществленные в течение декады, выявить трудности и проблемы в реализации целей декады, а также запланировать дальнейшие действия на период после 2015 года. В связи с этим, проведение Международной конференции высокого уровня по итогам реализации Международного десятилетия действий «Вода для жизни», 2005-2015 гг. в Душанбе, Таджикистан (9-11 июня 2015 г.) в этом решающем году является своевременной и эффективной инициативой, направленной на повышение информированности мирового сообщества о тенденциях в водной сфере и мобилизации усилий правительств, учреждений ООН, международных и неправительственных организаций, а также других заинтересованных сторон в решении водных проблем.

В Конференции примут участие представители правительств государств-членов ООН, институтов ООН, международных и региональных организаций, международных финансовых институтов, деловых кругов, НПО, гражданского общества, а также ученые и эксперты. Приглашения правительствам государств-членов ООН, международным и региональным организациям, а также другим партнерам будут своевременно направлены от имени Правительства Республики Таджикистан и Национального Организационного Комитета.

Детальную информацию о Конференции можно найти на сайте www.waterforlifeconf2015.org или в Секретариате Конференции:

Адрес: Республика Таджикистан, Душанбе 734001, ул. Шероз, 33
Электронная почта: info@waterforlifeconf2015.org
Тел.: (+992 37) 227 68 43
Факс: (+992 37) 227 68 44

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First Announcement on High Level International Conference on the Implementation of the International Decade for Action "Water for Life", 2005-2015 is available at the following link:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0Bz6Jz1uLKmdnU1oxZ2FrOTFiVk0/view?usp=sharing

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