Uzbek envoy recalled the Uzbek President Islam Karimov speech at the meeting of the heads of founder states of International Aral Rescue Fund, which took place in April 2009, and said one of the sharpest problem of the Central Asian region in context of global climate change is deficit of water resources, decreasing of pure water, land degradation, sharp decrease of biodiversity.

He said that the growing deficit of water resources and fertile lands serves as evidence for necessity for closer cooperation and coordination of efforts, directed to increasing food production with help of technologic achievements.

Murad Askarov said Uzbekistan adheres to firm position on necessity to carry out mandatory expertise of water-related projects under aegis of the UN to ensure food security in the Central Asian region.

Uzbek Ambassador said Uzbekistan, where lives each second inhabitant of Central Asia, has morale right to be leader in the issues of coordinating efforts of the region’s states in search of solutions on water management.

He added that Uzbekistan suffered the most from catastrophe of Aral Sea, water area of which decreased seven times and the water volume fell 12 times. Askarov also drew attention to desertification process in Aral Sea Basin. He said currently water supply of the main rivers of the Central Asian region - Amudarya and Syrdarya - does not exceed 70% from annual norm.

Uzbekistan Permanent Representative states that all issues, related to ensuring water-energy balance in Central Asia, should be solved based on mutual understanding, constructive dialogue and consensus among the region’s countries. He warned that any neglect from these principles can bring to unpredictable ecologic, economic, social and political consequences in the region.