Uzbekistan, Tashkent, Dec. 10 /Trend's D.Azizov/
Ambiguous approaches to issues of water resources can lead to irreversible consequences, including major environmental disasters in Central Asia, Italian experts in the field of ecology said.
Water and environmental issues in Central Asia and Uzbekistan's approach to their solution were discussed in the framework of the "round table", organized by the Embassy of Uzbekistan in cooperation with the Italian Institute for the protection and study of nature, news agency Jahon under the Foreign Ministry of Uzbekistan reported.
The "round table" was attended by representatives of ministries and agencies in Italy, international organizations, researchers of environmental and water policy, experts of think tanks and the media.
During the event, participants learned about the water and environmental situation in Central Asia, the measures taken by the Uzbek leadership to mitigate the consequences of the ecological disaster in the Aral Sea region, and the country's positions on key issues of trans-boundary rivers.
The participants of the "round table" noted that a reasonable and equitable use of water resources is one of the most serious problems of the region and the various and ambiguous approaches on this issue can lead to irreversible damage, including that to major ecological disasters.
In this regard, the event participants agreed on the need for mandatory authoritative international assessment of all construction projects of large hydropower projects on rivers under auspices of UN, especially the Rogun and Kambarata hydropower projects which do not meet the environmental standards.
The experts positively assessed the work carried out by Uzbekistan for protection of the environment and efficient use of water resources. They agreed that the appeals of Uzbekistan to resolve the problems in the use of transboundary rivers, considering the interests of all countries and strictly within the existing UN conventions, are quite fair.
Referring to the construction of Rogun and Kambarata hydropower plants, tan expert at the Institute for Protection and Study of Nature E.Caruso said, that the use of transboundary rivers can not be the prerogative of one or several states, and the construction of large dams must be coordinated with all the countries in river basins, especially those located in lower reaches.
The director of AQ International, an expert on water issues S.Kachela noted that the unwise use of water resources by countries located in upper reaches of Amu Darya and Syr Darya leads to deterioration of situation in the territories around the Aral Sea.
According to Italian journalist D.Simone, the states located in the lower reaches of the Amu Darya and Syr Darya need to understand the consequences of constructing large hydropower plants and participate more effectively in solving this problem.
A researcher at the Institute of Geopolitical Studies and Applied Sciences D.Chitati emphasized that water issues in Central Asia are an integral part of the development and security in the region.
As a result of the meeting, the Italian experts confirmed their interest in further cooperation with Uzbekistan on water and environmental issues.
