New perspectives for scientific research in water sector for Turkmenistan and countries of Central Asia
On November 11, the round table entitled "Priorities of scientific research in the water sector of Turkmenistan" was held in Turkmenabad city, Turkmenistan. The main goal of the jointly organized event by CAREC with the Ministry of Agriculture and Water Management of Turkmenistan within the Smart Waters Project, funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), was to discuss high priority topics for scientific research in the water sector.
The round table was opened by the Deputy of the Mejlis of Turkmenistan and gathered more than 25 participants, including the employees of the Ministry of Agriculture and Water Resources of Turkmenistan and its departments, scientists of the Institute ‘Turkmensuvulymtaslama”, Turkmen Agricultural University named after Niyazov S. A., the Academy of Science of Turkmenistan, Scientific Research Institute and Secretariat of the International Commission for Sustainable Development.
The frame of the discussion was set by Mr. Mamedov, CAREC Expert, who delivered the presentation on "Current trends in scientific research in the water sector of Turkmenistan." In his presentation he outlined state programs, aimed at support of scientific research in the water sector of the country, legal framework and scientific institutions involved in water issues in Turkmenistan. He also focused his presentation on the areas of scientific research that already being carried out and those which are of high priority at the moment. It was noted that training and capacity building of specialists of the water sector is among the most important tasks at the present time.
Presentation resulted in heated discussions, during which participants talked about emerging problems which need to be explored and the results which will benefit society and national economy, what, in turn, helped to identify most important problems of the water sector, areas for intensification of research activities, perspectives and opportunities for regional cooperation of joint scientific research centers of the countries in water sector as well as outlined further joint initiatives within the project. The importance of intensifying research in the field of return waters was also marked during discussions.
Topics of discussion also include research in the suitability of water in the secondary use for agricultural needs and live stock breeding. Turkmenistan by constant attention devoted to purity of water resources prevented dumping of drainage waters into the Amu Darya River and ensured an outflow to the Altyn Asyr Lake. Currently, the necessity of water use for economic turnover increases, and therefore, it’s necessary to search for efficient and inexpensive technologies for water reclamation and reducing the level of mineralization to acceptable levels. Activities in this direction were presented by the representatives of the Chemistry Institute under the Academy of Science of Turkmenistan, and Scientific Institute "Turkmensuvylymtaslama".
Moreover, the event promoted exchange of international experience among water sector experts of the Central Asian countries. Participants were familiarized with activities of the Tashkent Institute of Irrigation and Mechanization (Uzbekistan), and Kazakh-German University (Almaty, Kazakhstan).
Dr. Barbara Janusz-Pawletta, from the Kazakh-German University underlined that: “The scientific cooperation on development of the integrated water resource management in Turkmenistan and in Central Asia id vital for successful and sustainable development of the transboundary water resources use in the region. The education of young generation on the integrated water resources management will serve as a guarantee of the success of future regional cooperation”.
Professor Salokhiddinov also conducted a presentation on the priority areas of scientific research of the Tashkent Institute of Irrigation and Mechanization as well as on scientific potential, along with underlining opportunities for regional and international cooperation.