International Year of Freshwater: a viewpoint from Central Asia.

• Author: Rahmonov, Emomali
• Position: Guest Column

Water is one of the basic necessities of human life arid a key component of development. It is major resource for food production, for improving the well-being of society and for maintaining economic growth. Water is necessary for the normal functioning of all of Earth's ecosystems.

The proportion of fresh water, according to several estimates varies from 0.25 to 0.50 per cent of the entire hydrosphere of the planet. Unfortunately, there are serious lags in many parts of the world: approximately one sixth of the global population has no access to pure drinking water, and one third lacks access to water for household needs. If the present disturbing trends persist, two out of three inhabitants of the planet will soon be living in countries suffering from "water stress". Global climate change may aggravate the problem even further. Based on these facts, we can assert with confidence that impossible to ensure the stable development of society without achieving the goal, set by the Millennium Declaration and endorsed in the final documents of the World Summit on Sustainable Development, to halve by year 2015 the proportion of people without access to pure drinking water and adequate sanitation.

It should not be forgotten that a shortage of water also generates a number of ethical problems. Access should be recognized as one of the basic human rights--water should become the common property of mankind. Rational and fair management of water resources would mean greater access to water and sanitation for all and minimization of possible conflicts caused by lack of water. It is common knowledge that water is already a frequent cause of political tension in relationships between States. One of the central tasks of the international community with regard to water resources management should be conflict prevention. This would be possible only in the context of respect for the sovereignty of the neighbouring States and consideration for their specific historical, cultural and economic circumstances.

In view of the whole complex of water resources problems, and the urgency of mobilizing the political will of all Member States of the United Nations to resolve them, the Republic of Tajikistan proposed that the UN General Assembly proclaim 2003 as the International Year of Freshwater, which was widely acclaimed by 149 countries. The events to be held during the Year will provide the necessary environment for a full-scale fulfillment of all decisions on water adopted within the framework of recent major UN forums.

These will allow the global community to concentrate its attention on the development of effective strategies at every level--international, regional, sub-regional and national--for the long-term preservation of qualitative water resources and their subsequent rational use. The Year will provide a good opportunity for pulling together efforts that are already being made or planned by countries in connection with water resources management, so as to solve problems on all...