Dear Summit Participants!
Ladies and Gentlemen!

First of all, let me express my gratitude to the Governments of France, Kazakhstan, and Saudi Arabia for convening this Summit, which is intended to practically contribute to addressing issues on the global agenda among the most pressing problems.

Today, cooperation on water issues is a crucial component of global processes, largely determining the prospects for ensuring sustainable stability, development, and well-being on the planet.

In this context, guaranteeing equal and fair access to water and, more broadly, to water resources, is a decisive condition not only of a political and legal nature but also of moral order, a matter of responsibility to current and future generations.

We believe that the criterion determining the effectiveness of multilateral dialogue on water issues should be the unconditional commitment of its participants to two fundamental principles: rational use and fair distribution of water resources.

Turkmenistan has always firmly and consistently stated that access to water is a natural right of peoples and every individual.

This principle is clearly applicable to Central Asia, where water, due to a number of historical, cultural, and natural-geographical features, has special value and significance, and where access to it is a direct and often decisive factor in economic and social well-being, the level of prosperity, and the quality of life of people.

Based on this, Turkmenistan is convinced that the consideration of the entire complex of water issues in Central Asia should be based on three key principles:

1. Compliance with international law. Water resources are a common heritage, and their use should be regulated in accordance with universally recognized norms, particularly based on UN conventions.
2. Mutual consideration of interests. Decisions made should take into account the needs of all states in the region. Only such an approach will ensure fairness and sustainability.
3. Involvement of international organizations, primarily the UN. We are confident that the participation of the UN in water initiatives strengthens their legitimacy and effectiveness.

Based on this, in order to preserve and strengthen good neighborliness, development, and cooperation in Central Asia, as well as to establish a mechanism for water use on the transboundary rivers of the region, Turkmenistan proposed at the 78th session of the UN General Assembly to consider the initiative to create a UN Regional Council on Water Use in Central Asian countries with headquarters in Ashgabat, as well as to accelerate the process of adopting UN Conventions on the Amu Darya and Syr Darya rivers.

This Council, in close cooperation with all Central Asian states, will coordinate water management actions, organize the interaction of regional departmental structures, and develop a legal framework for water use. We are confident that this initiative of Turkmenistan is timely and, when implemented, can bring tangible practical shifts in strengthening regional cooperation in the near future.

Speaking of challenges related to water, it is impossible not to mention the impact of climate change. Rising temperatures, shrinking glaciers, and changing precipitation patterns require not only adaptation but also urgent joint actions. Glaciers, despite their remoteness from Turkmenistan, are of great importance to our country. They are natural sources of nourishment for rivers such as the Amu Darya, whose water is the basis of life, agriculture, and ecosystems in the region. We are convinced that the preservation of glaciers is possible only with the application of the most modern technologies.

Turkmenistan is ready to participate in international initiatives for monitoring, researching, and protecting glaciers, including the implementation of climate-resilient solutions.

In implementing it, systematic work is being carried out in the country to build new water facilities, as well as to develop infrastructure designed to provide the population with clean drinking water. A number of targeted programs have been adopted for the further functioning of hydraulic structures based on international standards and best practices.

I would especially like to note the issue of the rational use of the Amu Darya river water, which Turkmenistan considers as the most important resource for national and regional development.

We are implementing modern irrigation methods, using water-saving technologies, and taking measures to minimize water losses.

I would also like to return to Turkmenistan's initiative to develop a Special UN Program for the Aral Sea Basin and to highlight the Aral issue as a separate direction of the United Nations' activities.

The basis for effective international cooperation on the Aral Sea are two UN General Assembly Resolutions "Cooperation between the United Nations and the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea," adopted at the initiative of Turkmenistan. It is also necessary to recall the Resolution of the UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific "Consideration of the conditions for creating a special United Nations program for the Aral Sea Basin." The implementation of these important documents should be one of the defining directions of all international work on the Aral track.

Undoubtedly, the most important role here is assigned to the activities of the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea and the Interstate Commission for Water Coordination of the Fund. These structures are working on solving tasks of paramount importance. Therefore, their activities should rely not only on the assistance of the Fund's member states but also on broad and systematic international support.

Dear Summit Participants!

Turkmenistan is convinced of the ability of the world community to unite its efforts to create an effective and sustainable water resource management system. This requires us to strengthen regional cooperation, activate scientific research, and introduce new technologies. In the near future, the UN Regional Center for Technologies related to Climate Change in Central Asia will begin functioning in Ashgabat. The Government of Turkmenistan will provide maximum assistance to this new structure, ensuring the most favorable conditions for the effective fulfillment of its tasks and goals.

Dear Summit Participants!

In conclusion, I would like to confirm Turkmenistan's unwavering readiness for further close cooperation on water issues with the UN, other specialized international structures, our neighbors, and partners on clear and fair principles, mutual responsibility, and consideration of interests.

Taking this opportunity, I would once again like to express my gratitude to the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, the President of the French Republic Emmanuel Macron, and the Crown Prince, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud for their initiative on issues that are of great importance in this complex global space.