Speech of Prime-Minister of the Kyrgyz Republic Mr. Igor Chudinov

at the Fifth World Water Forum Summit

( Istanbul , 16 March 2009 )

Mister President!

Your Highnesses and Excellencies!

Dear participants of Summit!

First of all, I would like to express gratitude to the President of Turkey Mr. Abdullah Gulu for organization of such an important event and sincere hospitality.

I have been charged by the President of the Kyrgyz Republic Mr. Kurmanbek Bakiev to convey cordial greetings to the President of Turkey Mr. Abdullah Gulu and all participants of Summit and inform that he follows with great interest all issues, concerning water –energetic and food security in the whole world.

Today’s Summit has a particular meaning, as we are representatives of different regions gathered here in order to discuss water problems, issues of adaptation of our states to the present global threats and challenges, related to water.

Energetic and financial problems in the world cause significant activization of regional and energetic discussions among parties concerned.

Let me tell about water problems in Kyrgyzstan and Central Asia in the whole.

As you know, Syr Darya and Amu Darya basins of the Central Asia region bounds Kyrgyzstan , Kazakhstan , Tadjikistan , Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan to the single vitally important Central Asian water-energetic junction.

Kyrgyzstan along with Tadjikistan, being the country, on the territory of which the majority of largest rivers of Central Asia are being formed, possesses significant water resources reserves, such as groundwaters, glaciers, lakes and rivers.

At present time, the Kyrgyz Republic explored only 10% of existing hydro potential. For the last years our state has been using 8, 0 -9, 0 km³ of water resources per year for own needs. The rest of water course – more than 30, 0 km³ of water resources goes to the territory of neighboring countries.

Technical condition of irrigating and collector-drain systems of Kyrgyzstan is unsatisfactory by majority of indicators. Such negative phenomena as soil degradation, salinization, swamping, soil erosion are increasing on the territory of the country.

I would like specially note that the deficit of fresh water, intensive glaciers melting, increased danger of extreme meteorological phenomena, ecosystems destructions are being observed, because of global climate change.

Population of Kyrgyzstan more than 5 mln. people, because of high-mountainous relief, seismic activity of territory has to do with influence of more than 20 variety of danger processes and phenomena, among these are processes, related to water resources – mud flows, floods, inrushes of high mountain lakes, dams of tailing dumps.

Water problem in Central Asia historically and traditionally has been solved on the terms of mutual understanding and benefit.

With the collapse of Soviet Union , nations, living in Central Asian region, have faced with problems, occurred as the result of rupture of economic ties between republics, among which special place take water-energetic and ecological problems.

During Soviet period hydro energetic constructions, united into single energetic system of Central Asia , were built in Kyrgyzstan and Tadjikistan for the supply of region with energy, i.e. for accumulation and irrigation water supply of neighboring republics during springs and summers.

The main principle of successful existence of this system was compensation of underproduced electric power during autumn- winter period and cover of annual damages from floods in Kyrgyzstan and Tadjikistan by means of equivalent supply of thermal and energy resources from countries of downstream. Thus, the principle of compensation was envisaged in the basis of water resources use in Central Asia during the Soviet period. It must be considered reasonable and fair.

Existed regime, according to norms of international law may be characterized as well-established regional folklaw, envisaged in interrepublican conventions.

Kyrgyzstan pursuant to understanding that water always had and has not only vital, but economic value for all countries of the region without exception. At the same time, proceeding from interdependency of countries of the region in issues of water-energetic resources supply, Kyrgyzstan proposed to use the principle of intersectoral balance of interests on water-energetic problems.

As is known, water-energetic and hydrocarbon resources among our countries are distributed unevenly. Instead of services on accumulation and water delivery by upstream countries, downstream countries could present fuel and energy resources or compensate costs according to mutually beneficial scheme.

This principle was laid in regional agreement of 1996, according to which institutions of parties were charged “to work out principles and order of equity participation on financing of costs for the exploitation and repair of interrepublican hydroeconomic objects”.

Lack of programme cooperation among countries of Central Asia and deficiency of water reserves in largest of the region Toktogul water reservoir, owing to shortage of water resulted in 2008 to crisis of power supply. We had to impose restrictions of electricity consumption for our citizens and enterprises.

In this context Kyrgyzstan believes necessary to consider water problem in direct connection with energetic, as supply of population with electricity and heating at the cost of functioning of hydropower plant is vitally important condition for Kyrgyzstan and Tadjikistan as well as water supply for agricultural needs of downstream countries.

One should note that refusal of several states from proven, already integrated water –energetic scheme, envisaged in regional agreement of 1998, resulted to the development of processes of delimitation of interests and negatively influenced the processes of approaching and mutual understanding of countries in a whole.

At present Kyrgyzstan buys deficient energetic resources from countries of downstream at world prices. However, due to lack of financial resources we had to convert work of Toktogul hydro energetic juncture from irrigation regime into energetic.

Such regime of work of Tokotogul water reservoir causes main anxiety of downstream countries.

In this connection Kyrgyzstan began construction of Low Naryn cascade of water reservoir and first of all, Kambarata HPS 1 and 2. By putting these water reservoir into operation, needs in electric energy of the republic will be fully satisfied and it will let work Toktogul hydro juncture in optimal regime, in which downstream countries are concerned. Project on construction of Kambarata HPS was regulated with neighboring republics in 80-ies of last century and passed ecological expertise.

Kyrgyzstan particularly underlines, that beginning of really serious discussion of issue on effective and mutual beneficial use of water–energetic resources in region corresponds to strivings of the Kyrgyz Republic and is undoubtedly welcomed.

For example, the meeting of Presidents of Central Asia countries on 10 October 2008 on discussion of water-energetic problems, that gave necessary impetus for positive and mutually beneficial decision of this question deserves high appraisal.

Dear participants of Summit,

Let me pay you attention to the issues, related to uranium tailing dumps, situated on the territory of the Kyrgyz Republic and neighboring countries.

Condition of tailing dumps, containing high-toxic uranium wastes is disastrous. The Kyrgyz Republic more than once paid attention of world community to the possible negative consequences for the whole region and even ecological catastrophe in case of tailing dumps breakthrough.

Taking into consideration that tailing dumps are situated near settlements, in river basins, in zone of high seismicity, one should increase collective responsibility for quickest resolving of this problem and safe recultivation.

Dear participants of the Summit,

I would like to underline that the Kyrgyz Republic conducts purposeful activity on studying of possible mutually beneficial schemes of water resources management.

In particular, number of states support initiative of the Kyrgyz Republic on opening of Water-energetic Academy in Bishkek.

Opening of Water energetic Academy will let prepare high-qualified specialists in such spheres, as hydroenergetics, irrigation, water law, land use, struggle against desertification and land degradation, and conduct scientific research works on rational use of water resources.

In this connection let me take this opportunity and address to You, dear participants of Summit, with request to support actively the initiative of the Kyrgyz Republic .

In the nearest future, policy of the Kyrgyz Republic in the sphere of development, use and preservation of water resources will be directed at ensuring of rational use of water resources, investment attractiveness, keeping of ecological security and development of alternative sources of energy.

The Kyrgyz Republic is sure that only by common efforts of Central Asia states one may achieve preservation of water-energy balance and equal supply of citizens of the region countries with water, heating and electricity.

In conclusion I would like to note that Kyrgyzstan always adheres to principles of sovereign equality, territorial integrity, cooperation, mutual benefit and conscientious fulfillment of commitments which are fundamental norms of international law. On the basis of these principles, the Kyrgyz Republic is ready for broad and comprehensive cooperation with all countries on the mutually beneficial basis.

Only open dialogue and discussions, based on principles of trust and openness, will promote mutually beneficial cooperation and lead to formation of transparent, effective and competitive water-energetic markets and optimal development and use of hydroenergetic potential of region, taking into account interests of each country.

Closing my speech, I would like to thank on behalf of delegation of the Kyrgyz Republic the Government of the Republic of Turkey, Secretariat of the World Water Forum and organizers of this occasion for invitation to take part and splendid arrangement of Summit.

Thank you for attention!