Tajikistan, which has unique water and hydropower resources, is facing serious problems related to climate change. In the context of global warming and rapid melting of glaciers in the mountainous regions of the country, where the largest freshwater reserves are concentrated, the problem of sustainable resource management is becoming especially urgent. Tajikistan, as one of the key countries of Central Asia, is actively involved not only in adapting to new challenges, but also in international cooperation in combating climate change. At the SOR29 conference in Baku, First Deputy Minister of Energy and Water Resources of the Republic of Tajikistan Jamshed Shoimzoda gave an exclusive interview to the Report news agency about how the country is coping with the melting of glaciers, what initiatives are being taken for sustainable water resources management and why regional cooperation is important. During the conversation, the prospects for cooperation between Tajikistan and Azerbaijan in the field of energy and the importance of timely financing of the fight against climate change were also discussed. - What are Tajikistan's problems in the field of water resources in the context of climate change? - Tajikistan is the richest country among the Central Asian countries in terms of water reserves. We account for 60% of the water resources of the entire Central Asia, and our rivers play a key role in the region. But the situation remains uncertain. In the southern part of Tajikistan, it is located on the upper reaches of rivers, which are fully formed here and supply water to the countries of the region. Currently, in the north, we are already downstream and partially dependent on water resources coming from other countries. Climate change is already having serious consequences, and the melting of glaciers is particularly dangerous. Our country is 93 percent mountainous, and Tajikistan is rightly called the homeland of glaciers. The largest continental glacier in the world is located here. However, due to climate change over the past 30 years, the country has lost more than a thousand trace elements. These are irreparable losses that significantly affect the water balance of the region. Therefore, urgent measures must be taken. - What efforts is Tajikistan making to combat climate change and how important is regional cooperation? - For Tajikistan, climate change is not only a fashion issue, but also a harsh reality that we face on a daily basis. Their negative impact is especially noticeable through water resources. The last five years show exactly how much climate change has intensified due to water. According to statistics, 74% of the effects of global climate change are related to water, and in Tajikistan this figure exceeds 80%. In such tasks, our country is actively studying climate processes and taking adaptation measures. However, national efforts alone are not enough to address the effects of climate change. Problems of a regional and global nature require the joint efforts of countries. It is important to develop clear mechanisms for cooperation, including financial support, environmental initiatives and infrastructure development. Only by combining resources and experience will you be able to effectively combat climate change and adapt to new realities. - Do developed countries allocate funds to combat climate change and how fairly is funding distributed? Azerbaijan, as the organizer of the event, paid due attention to financing issues, and we fully support this position. Unfortunately, there are serious problems with climate finance. Despite the loud statements of international financial partners about the allocation of funds, the process of transferring them to countries is often delayed. As a result, when the money reaches the recipients, many adaptive measures are already outdated. Financing should be not only adequate, but also timely. Without adequate and prompt financing, the fight against climate change and its consequences will be impossible. Modern challenges require immediate response and long-term financial support. - How do you assess the current state of cooperation between Tajikistan and Azerbaijan in the field of energy? I participated in the opening of the Clean Energy Center, created by Azerbaijan jointly with UNIDO and ECO. This initiative, as well as the idea of creating a "green passage" between Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, are close and important to us. We fully support him, and the possibilities of cooperation in this area have already been discussed at the ministerial level of the two countries. Tajikistan has a unique hydropower potential, of which only 5% is currently being used. Currently, 95% of our energy is already green. If we can use our full potential, it will be enough to meet the energy needs of Central Asia four times. Azerbaijan's initiatives to create transport corridors connecting Central Asia with Europe open up new opportunities for us. We can supply our green energy not only to neighboring countries, but also to Europe. If 20 years ago it seemed technically impossible, today this project is becoming quite real thanks to cheaper technologies. Mining is another important area of cooperation. Recently, at a meeting of the intergovernmental commission, our countries discussed issues in this direction. We are just starting to actively develop the mining industry, while Azerbaijan has extensive experience in this field. In this aspect, we see great potential for further cooperation. - What is the main result you expect from SOR29 and how do you assess the level of organization of the event? - We, representatives of the energy and water resources industry, came to SOR29 to emphasize the importance of these topics. The effects of climate change are especially felt through water, and this applies to all industries. The uniqueness of water lies in its versatility: it is needed everywhere – even solar panels require water for simple maintenance. We don't see any fields that would work without this resource. Our main task at SOR29 is to turn debate into real action. We pay special attention to glaciers, which are natural reservoirs of water. On our initiative, next year will be declared the UN Year of Mountain Glaciers. We want to inform you that water is a source of life and must be protected. As for the organization of the event, it was at the highest level. Starting from the airport, shuttles and ending with general cleanliness, everything is taken into account, despite the number of participants, which on some days reached 70 thousand. This is my fourth grade, and I have something to compare it with. The organization is really impressive.
