UNECE
United Nations Economic
Commission for
Europe
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UNESCAP
United Nations Economic and
Social Commission for Asia
and the Pacific |
Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan Inaugurate the Chu-Talas Rivers
Commission
A breakthrough in Central Asian water relations
Geneva and Bangkok, 24 July 2006 -- Water relations in Central
Asia will take a significant step forward on 26 July 2006 when the newly
created Chu-Talas Rivers Commission is inaugurated in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan.
The Chu-Talas Rivers Commission represents a mutually beneficial way for
Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan to share the responsibility for water infrastructure
used by both countries. As part of the bilateral agreement, Kazakhstan has
agreed to pay part of the operating and maintenance expenses for a number
of Kyrgyz dams and reservoirs supplying water to both countries.
According to UN officials, this represents a significant step towards addressing
a contentious issue and achieving a breakthrough in water relations in Central
Asia, as the sharing of water resources, in particular between upstream and
downstream countries, is often characterized by tension and insecurity.
“The Chu-Talas River Commission is an eloquent symbol of the spirit
of cooperation to address transboundary issues of common concern. It lays
the foundation for future cooperation in achieving more sustainable growth
in these two countries and in Central Asia,” remarked Mr. Kim Hak-Su,
Executive Secretary of UNESCAP. He congratulates Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan
for this breakthrough.
The Executive Secretary of UNECE, Mr. Marek Belka, congratulates Kyrgyzstan
and Kazakhstan for their constructive collaboration on water issues that sets
an example for future water relations in Central Asia.
The establishment of the Chu-Talas Rivers Commission has been supported
by a joint project implemented by two United Nations regional commissions – the
Geneva-based UN Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) and the Bangkok-based
UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP) – and
the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE).
The Statute of the Rivers Commission has been prepared and agreed on
by the concerned ministries and agencies of both countries, and the bilateral
Commission will now start work to implement a bilateral agreement. Kazakhstan
and Kyrgyzstan have equal standing in the Commission, and each country
will report to its water management agency.
The project is part of a coordinated effort by the international community
to support the Rivers Commission’s formation. The European Union
has implemented a project on integrated water resources management in the
basins of the Chu and Talas rivers. The Asian Development Bank has provided
support for setting up the Commission secretariat and renovating some infrastructure
on the rivers.
Applying the example of Kazakh-Kyrgyz cooperation to resource sharing
in other transboundary river basins in Central Asia would lead to greater
all-around capacity to meet the region’s water needs.
For more information, please visit http://www.talaschu.org/ or
contact:
Mr. Bo Libert
Regional Adviser
UNECE Environment, Housing and
Land Management Division
Palais des Nations
CH-1211 Geneva 10, Switzerland
Phone: +41 (0)22 917 2396
Fax: +41 (0)22 917 0621
E-mail: [email protected]
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Mr. Kojhi Iwakami
Economic Affairs Officer
UNESCAP Environment and Sustainable
Development Division
UN Building
Bangkok 10200, Thailand
Phone: 662 288 1542
Fax: 662 288 1059
E-mail: [email protected]
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Ref: ECE/ENV/06/06