Statements and Remarks of CICA Secretary General Ambassador Kairat Sarybay

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Address by CICA Secretary General Kairat Sarybay at COP29 on adverse impacts of climate change on the decline of water basins


Distinguished Chair, Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen,

It is an honour to join you here today to discuss the critical issue of climate change and its severe impact on water basins.

I would like to extend my gratitude to the Government of Azerbaijan for hosting this important gathering and for its leadership in addressing the environmental challenges facing our region.

I am privileged to represent the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA), where Azerbaijan will assume Chairmanship next month at the CICA Ministerial Council meeting here in Baku. CICA is a 28-member intergovernmental forum covering nearly 90 per cent of Asia and representing half of the global population dedicated to promoting peace, security and cooperation across the continent. As a unique dialogue platform, CICA provides equal opportunities for its Member States to exchange ideas, best practices and collaborate on beneficial initiatives via confidence building measures.

Climate change is not just an environmental concern; it’s a pressing issue that directly affects the security, development and prosperity of our people. CICA Member States actively address various challenges related to environmental sustainability. For instance, Tajikistan plays a prominent role in water diplomacy through its commitment to initiatives in the framework of the UN, an observer organization of CICA. Our Member States have been global advocates for water security and glaciers, notably leading the International Decade for Action: Water for Sustainable Development from 2018 to 2028. Additionally, UN-supported initiatives aim to address the Aral Sea crisis, which has led to severe environmental and economic impacts across Central Asia.

Within CICA's environmental dimension, Member States continue their activities, focusing on three priority areas: sustainable development, environment protection and natural disaster management. Through collaborative events, CICA Member States are working to combat environmental threats and promote sustainable development in the region by sharing best practices.

 

Ladies and gentlemen,

At the Sixth CICA Summit, President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, the current Chair of CICA, proposed convening a Ministerial Conference on Environmental Issues in Astana this year. This event was successfully held on 28 August 2024 and culminated in the adoption of a High-level Statement. In the outcome document, CICA Member States pledged to continue supporting each other in climate adaptation, biodiversity preservation, sustainable water management, pollution reduction and sharing knowledge on sustainable methods.

Among the pressing regional environmental challenges addressed by the participants of this Conference, water issues were certainly of particular relevance. Many Member States face water scarcity, pollution and inadequate access to clean water, all worsened by climate change. The natural disasters we have been witnessing this decade have proven our societies' fragility.

In recent years, Asia’s vulnerability to water-based disasters has underscored the urgent need for sustainable, coherent and integrated water management. Record-breaking floods, typhoons and landslides have severely impacted communities, infrastructure and economies.

For instance, just this year South Asia floods have affected over 40 million people across India, Bangladesh and Pakistan. China has also faced extreme flooding in 2024, displacing thousands and causing extensive infrastructure damage. Similarly, Afghanistan has experienced severe floods this season, devastating already fragile infrastructure. In Kazakhstan, this year’s floods have displaced nearly 117,000 people, highlighting the need for sustainable water management.

 

Dear participants,

Water is essential for sustainable development, human survival, economic prosperity and environmental health, yet millions still lack access to clean water and sanitation. To build resilience against climate-induced extreme events, we must protect vulnerable communities through synergy and cooperation.

As a dialogue platform, CICA is dedicated to supporting its Member States in developing innovative solutions and ensuring water remains a source of life, unity and peace.

Thank you.

 

13 November 2024

FOR CICA MEMBER STATES

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