Activities of Secretary-General in Tajikistan, 9 June
Early in the morning on Tuesday, 9 June, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, accompanied by Madam Ban Soon-taek, arrived in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, the first stop on his visit to five Central Asian countries.
His first engagement of the day was the opening of the High-level International Conference on the implementation of the International Decade, “Water for Life.”
The Secretary-General told participants that water's place in the sustainable development goals goes well beyond access to it, taking into account critical issues such as integrated water resources management, efficiency of use, water quality, transboundary cooperation, water-related ecosystems, and water-related disasters. (See Press Release SG/SM/16831.)
The Secretary-General said that water, like other areas of the post-2015 development agenda, is intricately interconnected with other challenges.
He then held a meeting with Emomali Rahmon, President of Tajikistan. Speaking to reporters afterwards, the Secretary-General said that Tajikistan and the United Nations had a strong record of cooperation stretching back more than two decades. On human rights, he underscored the United Nations support for the Government's continued engagement with the Organization's human rights mechanisms — particularly to address key human rights challenges.
The Secretary-General took part in a wreath-laying ceremony for United Nations staff who lost their lives in the line of duty.
He then visited the largest dam in Tajikistan, situated in the city of Nurek.
Upon returning to Dushanbe, the Secretary-General had back-to-back bilateral meetings with Muhammad Nawaz Sharif, Prime Minister of Pakistan, and Abdullah Abdullah, Chief Executive of Afghanistan.
In his meeting with Mr. Sharif, the Secretary-General stressed the importance of addressing root causes in countering terrorism, as well as the need for improved relations between Pakistan and India.
With Dr. Abdullah, the Secretary-General underscored the need to implement a range of reforms, including the rule of law and electoral issues, in Afghanistan. They also exchanged views on Afghanistan's relationships with neighbouring countries.
The Secretary-General met with representatives of civil society before meeting United Nations staff members working in Tajikistan.
Before departing Dushanbe in the evening for Kazakhstan, he attended a state reception for delegations attending the "Water for Life" conference.