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3.9 Aral Sea Basin
Water Policy 3 (2001) S87–S89
Conference report 3.9 Aral Sea Basin Rapporteur: Frits Verhoog. Participants: over 100
Presentation The Water Related Vision for the Aral Sea Basin is based on interdisciplinary consultations within the framework of the UNESCO Advisory Board for the Aral Sea Basin. It was initiated by working groups of scientists in the five Central Asian Republics keeping regional objectives and co-operation in the focus of considerations. Irrespective of the prevailing image and economic difficulties at present, the regional vision shows that the water resources of the basin are sufficient to provide adequate nutrition for a population twice the size of the present one. Also, it shows that the water supply and sanitation can be improved to reduce child mortality by at least two third of the present level, and that industry can be provided with the necessary water and to produce cash crops to sustain a diversified economic growth. Then, still enough water can be saved for a healthy and stimulating environment. The condition sine qua non is that agricultural productivity per cubic meter of water is to increase considerably. The International Fund for the Aral Sea Basin and its International Center for Water Coordination presented the strategic planning activities in the region. The presentation highlighted the necessity to improve water management in the region. Another presentation gave emphasis to the Global Environment Fund experience with the implementation of the Aral Sea Basin Programme, which gives emphasis to capacity building and public information. Non-governmental organisations perform essential tasks in the disaster areas near the Aral Sea, assisting the population with health related activities including water supply and sanitation. M!edecins sans Fronti"eres (Doctors without Borders) is one of the best known, but the work of other NGOs was also presented, such as the Swedish Committee for the United Nations Development Fund for Women. The ministers from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tadjikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan participated in the session and presented their country’s views on the desirable developments in the Aral Sea Basin referring also to the Vision.
Discussions The Panel on the Vision was the occasion to discuss the contents of the vision. The comments on the vision were, in general, positive. The questions referred mainly to the realism of the vision,
PII: S 1 3 6 6 - 7 0 1 7 ( 0 1 ) 0 0 0 3 8 - 1
S88
Conference report / Water Policy 3 (2001) S87–S89
the disappearance of the Sea and the present health situation of the population in the area adjacent to the Sea.
Conclusions *
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* *
*
*
*
The Aral Sea Basin has everything necessary for a bright future, including sufficient water. Water is very important in the Aral Sea Basin, but water availability in the basin on the whole is not a limiting factor for reaching the socio-economic development objectives. Water management has the purpose to foster the socio-economic objectives of health, nutrition, security, environment, shelter and wealth of the individuals in the region. This is best done in the frame of regional co-operation. A higher productivity of agriculture measured in product per m3 of water is essential to avoid water shortage. The largest environmental problem in the basin is soil salinity. Non-agricultural activities using water, such as industry and tourism, are potential water saving activities as they allow food imports. The present knowledge and information on water and land and related socio-economic factors is not sufficient, not reliable, not consistent and their availability is not sufficiently well organised for planning and decision-making. The restoration of the Aral Sea to the state it was in before 1960 is not a suitable objective anymore. Water saving measures are economical in the long term, but initially cost money. The problem of financing exists, but could be solved.
Action Knowledge (individual and institutional), unbiased and freely available information, and education to increase knowledge and know-how are all necessary. But, public awareness and capacity building activities are also essential for reaching the targets mentioned in the vision. *
* *
Organise a broad discussion on water and land related information and develop an information strategy. Execute the necessary basic strategy studies as background for water and land science policy. Review and develop a new strategy for the education of civil and agricultural scientists, engineers and technicians.
Willingness by society as a whole to do the necessary work and to accept the financial and eventual social costs is essential for reaching the objectives of the vision. *
* *
Execute public information campaigns related to the importance of water and the need to finance improvements. Establishments of science and technology museums with emphasis on land and water. Involve scientific and non-scientific NGOs in the above activities.
Conference report / Water Policy 3 (2001) S87–S89
S89
An active policy promoting and entertaining regional co-operation is essential to make it possible that the countries reach the targets mentioned in the vision. * *
Establish regional professional societies and finance them. A UN-led system to foster and initially finance regional activities, not only to exchange knowledge, but also to create and maintain common ethics and ideas on what is equitable in the field of water. J. Verhoog United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), 7 Place de Fontenoy, 75352, Paris 07 SP, France
Conference report 3.9 Aral Sea Basin Rapporteur: Frits Verhoog. Participants: over 100
Presentation The Water Related Vision for the Aral Sea Basin is based on interdisciplinary consultations within the framework of the UNESCO Advisory Board for the Aral Sea Basin. It was initiated by working groups of scientists in the five Central Asian Republics keeping regional objectives and co-operation in the focus of considerations. Irrespective of the prevailing image and economic difficulties at present, the regional vision shows that the water resources of the basin are sufficient to provide adequate nutrition for a population twice the size of the present one. Also, it shows that the water supply and sanitation can be improved to reduce child mortality by at least two third of the present level, and that industry can be provided with the necessary water and to produce cash crops to sustain a diversified economic growth. Then, still enough water can be saved for a healthy and stimulating environment. The condition sine qua non is that agricultural productivity per cubic meter of water is to increase considerably. The International Fund for the Aral Sea Basin and its International Center for Water Coordination presented the strategic planning activities in the region. The presentation highlighted the necessity to improve water management in the region. Another presentation gave emphasis to the Global Environment Fund experience with the implementation of the Aral Sea Basin Programme, which gives emphasis to capacity building and public information. Non-governmental organisations perform essential tasks in the disaster areas near the Aral Sea, assisting the population with health related activities including water supply and sanitation. M!edecins sans Fronti"eres (Doctors without Borders) is one of the best known, but the work of other NGOs was also presented, such as the Swedish Committee for the United Nations Development Fund for Women. The ministers from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tadjikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan participated in the session and presented their country’s views on the desirable developments in the Aral Sea Basin referring also to the Vision.
Discussions The Panel on the Vision was the occasion to discuss the contents of the vision. The comments on the vision were, in general, positive. The questions referred mainly to the realism of the vision,
PII: S 1 3 6 6 - 7 0 1 7 ( 0 1 ) 0 0 0 3 8 - 1
S88
Conference report / Water Policy 3 (2001) S87–S89
the disappearance of the Sea and the present health situation of the population in the area adjacent to the Sea.
Conclusions *
*
* *
*
*
*
The Aral Sea Basin has everything necessary for a bright future, including sufficient water. Water is very important in the Aral Sea Basin, but water availability in the basin on the whole is not a limiting factor for reaching the socio-economic development objectives. Water management has the purpose to foster the socio-economic objectives of health, nutrition, security, environment, shelter and wealth of the individuals in the region. This is best done in the frame of regional co-operation. A higher productivity of agriculture measured in product per m3 of water is essential to avoid water shortage. The largest environmental problem in the basin is soil salinity. Non-agricultural activities using water, such as industry and tourism, are potential water saving activities as they allow food imports. The present knowledge and information on water and land and related socio-economic factors is not sufficient, not reliable, not consistent and their availability is not sufficiently well organised for planning and decision-making. The restoration of the Aral Sea to the state it was in before 1960 is not a suitable objective anymore. Water saving measures are economical in the long term, but initially cost money. The problem of financing exists, but could be solved.
Action Knowledge (individual and institutional), unbiased and freely available information, and education to increase knowledge and know-how are all necessary. But, public awareness and capacity building activities are also essential for reaching the targets mentioned in the vision. *
* *
Organise a broad discussion on water and land related information and develop an information strategy. Execute the necessary basic strategy studies as background for water and land science policy. Review and develop a new strategy for the education of civil and agricultural scientists, engineers and technicians.
Willingness by society as a whole to do the necessary work and to accept the financial and eventual social costs is essential for reaching the objectives of the vision. *
* *
Execute public information campaigns related to the importance of water and the need to finance improvements. Establishments of science and technology museums with emphasis on land and water. Involve scientific and non-scientific NGOs in the above activities.
Conference report / Water Policy 3 (2001) S87–S89
S89
An active policy promoting and entertaining regional co-operation is essential to make it possible that the countries reach the targets mentioned in the vision. * *
Establish regional professional societies and finance them. A UN-led system to foster and initially finance regional activities, not only to exchange knowledge, but also to create and maintain common ethics and ideas on what is equitable in the field of water. J. Verhoog United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), 7 Place de Fontenoy, 75352, Paris 07 SP, France