The Resolution reflects full support of the outcomes of the Summit of the Heads of the States Founders of the IFAS, which was chaired by Turkmen leader and held in Avaza National tourist zone on August 24 last year. The document also makes legal base for cooperation between the UN and IFAS in systematic base.
In particular, it is planned to hold the consultations with participation of the UN agencies, all country members of the UN and IFAS Executive Committee to study the establishment of the UN Special Programme for the countries of Aral Sea region. In addition, preparation of the report of the UN Secretary General on fulfilment of this Resolution and adoption of relative documents by the UN are also planned.
Cooperation between the United Nations and the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea
The General Assembly,
Taking note with satisfaction of the report of the Secretary-General on cooperation between the United Nations and regional and other organizations,
Referring to the Articles of the Charter of the United Nations that encourage measures for regional cooperation to advance the purposes and principles of the United Nations,
Referring also to its resolution 63/133 of 11 December 2008, by which it granted the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea observer status in the General Assembly,
Referring further to its resolution 72/273 of 12 April 2018 on cooperation between the United Nations and the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea,
Taking note with appreciation of the joint communiqué adopted by the Heads of State of Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan during a meeting of the Council of Heads of the Founding States of the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea, held in the Avaza national tourist area in Turkmenbashi, Turkmenistan, on 24 August 2018,
Acknowledging that the negative humanitarian, environmental and socioeconomic consequences of the Aral Sea basin tragedy go well beyond the region and represent a global concern,
Welcoming the efforts of the States members of the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea to attain objectives consistent with the purposes and principles of the United Nations,
Noting the creation of the multi-partner human security trust fund for the Aral Sea region under the auspices of the United Nations, which aims to overcome the negative circumstances of the ecological catastrophe in the Aral Sea region and implement projects to improve the socioeconomic situation in the region,
Convinced that the activities of the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea and its bodies should take into account the interests and needs of all the countries of Central Asia,
Reaffirming that achieving international cooperation in solving international problems of an economic, social or humanitarian nature is one of the purposes of the United Nations,
Referring to the relevant resolutions of the Security Council, including resolution 1631 (2005) of 17 October 2005, as well as statements by the President of the Council in which the Council emphasized the importance of developing effective partnerships between the United Nations and regional and subregional organizations, in accordance with the Charter,
Welcoming the commitment of the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea to intensifying and deepening its cooperation with the agencies, programmes and funds of the United Nations system,
Referring to its resolution 72/279 of 31 May 2018 on the repositioning of the United Nations development system in the context of the quadrennial comprehensive policy review of operational activities for development of the United Nations system, and calling for more effective cooperation between Central Asian States and United Nations agencies in support of the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development,
Convinced that strengthening cooperation between the United Nations and the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea will advance the purposes and principles of the United Nations,
1. Notes the need for further improvement of the activities of the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea to strengthen regional cooperation in such areas as social and economic development; environmental protection and response to natural disasters; water resources management; adaptation to climate change and mitigation of its consequences; exchange of information; science and innovation; and other related areas;
2. Also notes the importance of strengthening cooperation and coordination between the United Nations system and the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea, and invites the Secretary-General to hold for that purpose regular consultations with the Chair of the Executive Committee of the International Fund, making use of appropriate inter-agency forums and formats, including consultations between the Secretary-General and the heads of regional organizations;
3. Further notes the proposal on the need to consider the possibility of developing a United Nations special programme for the Aral Sea basin and in this regard to hold consultations in 2019 with the Executive Committee of the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea, Member States and relevant United Nations agencies;
4. Emphasizes the importance of the development and effective implementation of regional environmental protection programmes for sustainable development in Central Asia, including assistance programmes for the countries of the Aral Sea basin;
5. Invites the specialized agencies and other organizations, programmes and funds of the United Nations system, as well as international financial institutions, to develop their cooperation with the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea;
6. Requests the Secretary-General to report to the General Assembly at its seventy-fifth session on the implementation of the present resolution;
7. Decides to include in the provisional agenda of its seventy-fifth session, under the item entitled “Cooperation between the United Nations and regional and other organizations”, the sub-item entitled “Cooperation between the United Nations and the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea”.
