The present Concept defines the main activities of Turkmenistan as the Chairman of the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea (IFAS).
The main goal of Turkmenistan chairmanship in IFAS is the further development and strengthening of cooperation between the countries of the Aral Sea basin on improving the socio-economic and environmental situation in the Aral Sea region, rational water use and ensuring a high level of environmental protection in this region.
The realization of this goal is directly considered by Turkmenistan in the context of practical implementation of Sustainable Development Goals.
The priority tasks of Turkmenistan as a country-chairman in the IFAS are as following:
• Development of a new Action Programme to assist countries of the Aral Sea basin (ASBP-4);
• Strengthening the legal basis of IFAS activities and its legal framework in the field of water management and environmental protection in Central Asia;
• Promoting regional programs and projects in the field of integrated water resources management, environmental protection and sustainable development;
• Providing support in information exchange activities, as well as support in setting up unified regional information system and database of the Aral Sea basin and ASBP monitoring;
- provide support in activation and expansion of cooperation of countries in the region with the largest international organizations, primarily with the United Nations and its specialized agencies and institutions in the field of environmental protection and sustainable development.
As the chairman of the IFAS, Turkmenistan will also fully promote the further enhancement of the international reputation of the Fund, its positive role in modern global processes on sustainable development.
In cooperation with Central Asian countries Turkmenistan proposes the development of the new phase of the Aral Sea Basin Action Plan (ASBP-4), strengthening the political, legal and institutional components of the programme. It will contribute to the implementation of initial initiative stage on "water diplomacy". In this context, multilateral consultations, seminars and conferences are planned to be convened in Central Asia countries.
To realize the idea of "water diplomacy", Turkmenistan during its Chairmanship in the IFAS initiates the development of Central Asian Water Strategy. It is also considered reasonable to consolidate in this document the basic principles and rules of the political and diplomatic cooperation of the Central Asian states on water issues that fully take into account the interests of all countries in the region.
In perspectives, the Central Asian Water Strategy would serve as a basis for UN Global Water Strategy elaboration.
Also, it is assumed that during this period Turkmenistan will prepare and officially send to all founding member countries of IFAS proposals for the revision of the Regional Action Plan for Environmental Protection of Central Asia (REAP) adopted within the framework of the Interstate Commission for Sustainable Development of IFAS in order to include main provisions of this Plan as an environmental component to new Action Program for Assistance to the Aral Sea Basin Countries (ASBP).
Turkmenistan will continue to advocate the practical implementation of specific initiatives of IFAS founding countries which are aimed at enhancing regional cooperation and development of systemic mechanisms for cooperation in the field of environmental protection and sustainable development. In particular, Turkmenistan will make all necessary efforts to promote the issues on the establishment of the Regional Centre for technologies related to climate change. In this regard, during the chairmanship in the IFAS Turkmenistan in cooperation with specialized agencies and UN institutions, will take all necessary measures to continue working on сenter establishment.
Turkmenistan intends actively contribute to strengthening the institutional basis of the IFAS as a regional platform for Central Asian countries cooperation in the field of sustainable development.
In this context, the activation of work on ratification and entry into force the Framework Convention (2006) for environment protection and sustainable development in Central Asia is foreseen.
The activities of Turkmenistan during its chairmanship in IFAS will also focus on creating good conditions for the countries of Aral Sea basin as well as providing them with more opportunities to consider jointly with the international community the issues on attracting investments for solving the problems of the Aral Sea.
Successful implementation of the Fund goals and objectives by Turkmenistan as a country-chairman will provide necessary conditions for the countries of the region in their active participation in strategic planning and implementation of regional and international policies aimed at achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.
