Water Unites

6. Parties stressed that constructive negotiations that took place in Almaty in an atmosphere
of openness and mutual understanding contributed significantly to the further
development of the traditionally good relationships and mutually beneficial collaboration
of the States-Founders of the IFAS in solving the problems of the Aral Sea.
7. Heads of States express their gratitude for the warm reception and welcome by the
President of the Republic of Kazakhstan N.A. Nazarbaev in the hospitable land of
Kazakh stan.
Almaty, 28 April 2009
President of the Republic of Kazakhstan N.A. Nazarbaev
President of the Kyrgyz Republic K.S. Bakiev
President of the Republic of Tajikistan E. Rakhmon
President of Turkmenistan G.M. Berdymukhamedov
President of the Republic of Uzbekistan I.A. Karimov
In 2010, EC-IFAS started the elaboration of the third phase of the Aral Sea Basin Program
(ASBP-3), covering the years 2011–2015. This time, the project preparation process
involved extensive consultation with national and international experts. EC IFAS was in
continual dialogue with the donor community (in particular with the World Bank, the
European Union, USAID, GIZ, and SDC) in order to solicit their comments and ideas on
program priorities and project proposals. Several coordination meetings with regional
organizations and key donors were held. Additionally, the World Bank, GIZ and the
European Union supported the preparation with consultants. The ultimate objective of
ASBP-3 is to improve the socioeconomic and environmental situation by applying the
principles of integrated water resources management, to develop a mutually acceptable
mechanism for a multi-purpose use of water resources and to protect the environment
in Central Asia while taking into account the interests of all the states in the region.
ASBP-3 works in four directions:
1. Integrated water resources management;
2. Environmental protection;
3. Socioeconomic development;
4. Improving institutional and legal instruments.
Based on these objectives, a list of criteria for project proposals to be included in the
program was agreed upon during the consultation:
- National projects to be implemented within one state and primarily financed from the
national budget;
- Regional projects to be implemented in the territory of two or more states;
- Meeting the ASBP goals and objectives;
- Meeting one of the directions of ASBP;
- Linking with the corresponding national and regional policy goals and programs.
IFAS: A history of post-Soviet cooperation
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