07.11.2008 - Comunicado de prensa
Improved water management can prevent conflicts -- Switzerland’s involvement in Central Asia

How can water resources be better used to promote development in Central Asia? Will it be possible in future to reduce water and power shortages and to resolve related conflicts? What contribution do the SDC and SECO make in the areas of drinking water, energy, irrigation and water management? These issues were discussed by experts from Central Asia and the international community, who were joined by Federal Councillors Doris Leuthard and Micheline Calmy-Rey at the Annual Conference on Switzerland’s Cooperation with Eastern Europe, which took place on 7 November 2008 in Solothurn.

Water is a key resource in the development process. This is particularly true for Central Asia, where water is becoming increasingly scarce. The consequences are an increased potential for conflict, rising food prices and environmental crises. Water is the focal point of the joint efforts undertaken by the SDC and SECO in Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. Sustainable and more efficient water management will be crucial to the future of Central Asia.

In her speech opening the conference, Federal Councillor Doris Leuthard stressed that, based on the experience it had gained at home, Switzerland could offer its expertise in reducing water and power wastage while at the same time providing access to water for more people. "We are therefore willing to make our know-how available so that water may be used in Central Asia efficiently, sensibly and sustainably for the benefit of the population," said the Minister for Economic Affairs.

According to a UN report, efficient water management is the most effective way of alleviating water shortages and the best strategy for adapting to the impact of climate change in Central Asia. Foreign Minister Micheline Calmy-Rey underlined that Switzerland’s involvement in the water sector was also important in view of the climate crisis: "Nowadays, the effectiveness of bilateral aid is no longer simply measured by whether it achieves a sustainable effect on the ground, but also by the extent to which it provides solutions to the persistent problems and challenges faced by humankind.“

Johannes Linn, Executive Director at the Wolfensohn Center for Development, Washington D.C. explained that stability in Central Asia was also important for Europe: "Central Asia is an important bridge to economic integration for the Eurasian continent. A peaceful agreement among Central Asian countries on how to use increasingly scarce water resources is possibly the most important factor in achieving stability."

One of Switzerland's main concerns when contributing to water management in Central Asia is that the end user is included in the process. It is only through measures involving such participation that the efficient and at the same time fair distribution of water resources is possible. As Omina Islamova, Head of the Swiss Irrigation Programme in Central Asia told the conference, "by means of the water users committees, we are also sowing the seeds for democracy".

The most recent progress report published confirms that the water projects run by the SDC and SECO are generally highly effective. In the case of irrigation projects, recipient countries gain an economic and social benefit of an average of three Swiss francs for each franc of aid invested. Results in drinking water projects are even better, with a benefit of at least five Swiss francs for each franc invested. This means that by international comparison, Switzerland's results are very good.

Contact/Enquiries:
State Secretariat for Economic Affairs SECO
Markus Spörndli, Communications Officer
Tel. +41 (0)31 324 09 10 or +41 (0)79 232 98 12
markus.spoerndli@seco.admin.ch

Federal Department of Foreign Affairs FDFA
Jean-Philippe Jutzi, Press Spokesman
Tel. +41 (0)31 325 51 43 or +41 (0)79 292 08 49
jean-philippe.jutzi@eda.admin.ch

Films: 1. Einleitung Play Video (de) 2. Wasser als Energiespender Play Video (de) 3. Bewässerung und Trinkwasser Play Video (de)