Dushanbe, 4 August 2022 (TDI): Tajikistan is a predominantly agricultural country and it needs effective water management for the country’s economic growth and food security.
Agriculture employs around 45% of #Tajikistan‘s population & contributes to almost 23% of the GDP.
Effective water management is critical for the country’s food security & economic growth: https://t.co/crxU0ApjzT @sevimli_o @WorldBankECA #WaterActionDecade pic.twitter.com/g4HRHpCqqS
— World Bank (@WorldBank) August 4, 2022
Water is essential for socio-economic development, healthy ecosystems, and human well-being. It is critical for lowering the global disease burden and improving population health, welfare, and productivity.
According to the World Bank (WB), more than three million Tajiks still lack access to safe water supply services, mostly in rural areas.
Tajikistan is an agrarian country, and water is essential for the agricultural sector. Agriculture employs roughly 45 percent of the population and accounts for nearly 23 percent of the GDP of Tajikistan.
Further, Ozan Sevimli, Country Manager for Tajikistan and Turkmenistan added that irrigated agriculture requires a lot of water and energy.
Water and energy systems are inextricably linked but inefficiently coordinated, posing ongoing water-energy nexus challenges.
Moreover, he adds that the COVID-19 pandemic and the unfolding crisis in Ukraine have disrupted supply chains and had severe consequences for many vulnerable economies, including Tajikistan, which relies on wheat imports.
Second Dushanbe Water Action Decade Conference
The Tajik government, in collaboration with the United Nations and other partners, hosted the Second Dushanbe Water Action Decade Conference from June 6-9, 2022.
This year’s conference theme was “Catalyzing water action and partnership at the local, national, regional, and global levels” for the post-COVID water-smart recovery path. Furthermore, the government of Tajikistan has begun an ambitious water sector reform.
Tajikistan approved a revised Water Code in 2020, endorsing the integrated water resources management principles, and concurrently established river basin organizations.
In addition, the country has enacted the Law on Drinking Water Supply and Wastewater, which prioritizes the right to drinking water.
Ozan Sevimli further adds that this year marks the 30th anniversary of Tajikistan’s partnership with the World Bank Group. This partnership has made significant contributions to poverty reduction, water security, and economic development in Tajikistan.
