The 14th International Workshop on Irrigation and Drainage on the theme “Modernization of Irrigation and Drainage Systems for Climate Change Adaptation and Sustainable Development” has started its work in Dushanbe. The seminar is attended by international experts in this field from more than 20 countries of the world.
This event is held under the auspices of the International Commission on Irrigation and Drainage and the National Commission on Irrigation and Drainage in the Republic of Tajikistan within the framework of the implementation of the International Decade for Action “Water for Sustainable Development”, 2018-2028, which was announced at the initiative of the Republic of Tajikistan.
The event is organized by the Agency for Land Reclamation and Irrigation under the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan with the support of the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan and international development partners.
At the opening ceremony of the event, the Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Tajikistan, Mr. Ziyozoda Sulaimon Rizoi, noted that the land reclamation and irrigation subsector of Tajikistan is an important link in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals and the country’s Strategic Goals for the period up to 2030, including ensuring food security and employment in rural areas of the country, as well as reducing the risks of water-related disasters.
However, over the past decades, countries around the world have faced challenges such as the impact of climate change. Tajikistan is also under the influence of this process. Melting of glaciers, which occupy 6% of the country’s territory and are the main accumulators of water resources for the countries of the Aral Sea basin, has become more frequent in the country.
The situation is exacerbated by frequent natural disasters related to water, dry years and the physical deterioration of irrigation and drainage infrastructure, which were built in the 1960s of the last century.
The President of the International Commission on Irrigation and Drainage, Mr. Marco Arcieri, noted that by organizing such an event at the international level, Tajikistan provided a platform for participants from more than 20 countries to consider issues such as the modernization of irrigation and drainage systems in the context of climate change, issues of water-food and energy interaction, including the environment, as well as issues of youth engagement and gender equality in the water sector.
The Deputy Minister of Water and Soil Resources of the Ministry of Agriculture Jahad, Islamic Republic of Iran, Mr. Safdar Niyazi Shahraki, noted that they are ready to develop cooperation with Tajikistan on the introduction of water-saving technologies and modernization of irrigation and drainage systems.
Within the framework of this event, 8 Iranian companies presented their products on advanced technologies for water conservation, as well as presented the experience of modernizing irrigation and drainage systems.
Zafarbek Davlatzoda, Director of the Agency for Land Reclamation and Irrigation under the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan, also noted that the holding of the event of the International Commission on Irrigation and Drainage in Dushanbe on the eve of the third high-level international conference on the International Decade for Action “Water for Sustainable Development, 2018-2028” within the framework of the Dushanbe Water Process, on June 10-13, indicates that for the development of the land reclamation and irrigation industry, importance at the international level.
International development partners, international financial institutions and international organizations that support the development of the land reclamation and irrigation industry in the country also actively participate in the seminar.
Founded in 1950, the International Commission on Irrigation and Drainage (ICID) is a leading scientific, technical, international non-profit, professional knowledge-sharing organization. The professional network consists of experts from all over the world in the field of irrigation, drainage, flood control and water management in agriculture. The main mission is to promote “sustainable water management in agriculture” to achieve “a world free of poverty and hunger through sustainable rural development”.
In 2014, the Republic of Tajikistan renewed its membership in ICID and then by the Decree of the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan dated October 29, 2015, No 620, the National Commission on Irrigation and Drainage in the Republic of Tajikistan (NCID) was established under the Agency for Land Reclamation and Irrigation under the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan.
Taking into account the active activity of Tajikistan in the global water and climate agenda, as well as the active work of the NCID of Tajikistan on the ICID platforms, it had the honor to organize the ICID event in Tajikistan for the first time.
This event will provide an opportunity for participants to showcase the best innovative ideas and practices in irrigation and drainage and water-related disaster risk management for climate change mitigation and adaptation.
