June 20, 2018
The theme for the conference, Promoting Action and Policy Dialogue on Water for Sustainable Development, is extremely relevant today, especially in the light of the developmental challenges thrown up by climate change
On the sidelines of the conference, India and and the Central Asian country reaffirmed their commitment to promote bilateral relations and agreed to enhance economic cooperation, particularly in sustainable water development
Water is a cross cutting element of sustainable development and is a crucial tool for poverty eradication. It is key to food, energy and health security, and therefore water is covered under several Sustainable Development Goals
Shri Gadkari said that potential for trade with Tajikistan in commodities such as sugar and milk powder may be explored; Bilateral trade between the nations had jumped by 76 per cent to US$72.4 million during the financial year 2017-18
India attended the Conference on International Decade for Action: Water for Sustainable Development 2018-28 in Dushanbe, Tajikistan on June 20th. The Indian delegation at the event was led by Nitin Gadkari, the Union Minister for Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation. The theme for the conference, Promoting Action and Policy Dialogue on Water for Sustainable Development, is extremely relevant today, especially in the light of the developmental challenges thrown up by climate change. The meeting comes amid Tajikistan taking a leading role in getting the theme of water to the centre of global Sustainable Development Goals for the coming decade. Meanwhile, on the sidelines of the conference, India and Tajikistan reaffirmed their commitment to promote bilateral relations and agreed to enhance economic cooperation, particularly in sustainable water development.
This conference will go a long way in developing common understanding and international dialogue on water as well as promoting national, regional and international action on integrated and sustainable water resources management worldwide. Water is a cross cutting element of sustainable development and is a crucial tool for poverty eradication. It is key to food, energy and health security, and therefore it is not surprising that water is covered under many Sustainable Development Goals. While there is enough water in the world, many people still do not have access to clean water owing to problems of proper management. This has also led to concerns related to sanitation. Furthermore, demography, pollution and urbanization are putting additional challenges on water management. Mr Gadkari said at the event that political will was critical for water governance, finance and education.
During his two-day visit to the central Asian republic, Mr Gadkari held wide-ranging talks with Sirodjidin Muhridin, foreign minister of Tajikistan in Dushanbe. The leaders underlined the need to give further impetus to the ongoing bilateral cooperation in various fields and agreed to enhance cooperation in sustainable water development. Shri Gadkari also conveyed to the Tajikistan leader, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s commitment towards expanding economic cooperation between the two countries, and said that potential for trade in commodities like sugar and milk powder may be explored. Aided by improving ties, bilateral trade between the nations had jumped by 76 per cent to US$72.4 million during the financial year 2017-18. India has sought to strengthen ties in Central Asia on the back of developmental projects such as the Chabahar Port in Iran which will greatly boost trade in the region.