International Symposium on Central Asia’s Water Resources Change and Its Environmental Impact Held in Bishkek
International Symposium on Central Asia’s Water Resources Change and Its Environmental Impact was held in Kyrgyzstan’s capital—Bishkek between August 26th and September 2nd. The symposium, hosted by the Research Center for Ecology and Environment of Central Asia (RCEECA) Bishkek Branch and organized by Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Sciences, and Institute of Geology and the Institute of Water Problems and Water Power of Kyrgyzstan Academy of Sciences, attracted nearly 100 representatives from China, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, France, Japan, Canada and Nepal.
As the 5th session of Issky-Kul Lake Forum Meeting Series, the symposium covered the themes of “Water Resources and Its Management”, “Glacier Changes”, “Changes of Ecological System and Its Monitoring” and “Biodiversity”. It aims to strengthen the communication among researchers of various countries to explore new technological solutions and ways for reasonable utilization of Central Asia’s water resources, forecast the dynamic changes of water resources under the backdrop of climate change, discuss the conditions of biodiversity and its response to climate change on species level.
Du Dewen, Chinese Ambassador to Kyrgyzstan, President Dzhumataev of Kyrgyzstan Academy of Sciences and Adili Junus, member of the parliament of Kyrgyzstan attended the meeting and delivered speeches.
Du Dewen said that China has abundant water resources but the average water resource per capital is lower than the world average. Therefore, China puts high attention to the utilization and protection of water resources and achieved satisfying results in relevant fields but the difficult challenges remain. In June this year, General Secretary Xi Jinping paid a state visit to Kyrgyzstan, elevating bilateral relations to a new level. Currently, biology and environmental protection are two key areas for China-Kyrgyzstan cooperation and the two countries are cooperating to implement Kyrgyzstan's agricultural irrigation system renovation and clean drinking water project. We believe that bilateral cooperation will bring more fruitful results and give benefits to the two peoples.
Dzhumataev pointed out that the sharing of methods and experience during scientific process was very important and the lack of young researchers and backup talents was a common problem for both countries. He hoped that besides focusing on solving the acute contradiction between regional economic development and environmental protection with advanced methods and technologies, the meeting should also give young people the platform to show themselves and promote the development of scientific and technological causes.
Adili Junus said that the impact of climate change to natural environment and social and economic development should be discussed and solved from scientific and political fields at a global scale. Environmental problems caused by climate change was not only a problem for Kyrgyzstan or Central Asia but a challenge for whole Asia. We believe that this meeting will offer a new thinking and solution to this problem.
Yao Peisheng, former Chinese Ambassador to Kyrgyzstan, Jean-Francois, expert of French National Space Research Center, Professor Su Lijun of Institute of Mountain Hazards and Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, and Professor Li Lanhai from Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, all delivered reports respectively titled “Water is the Key for Human Survival”, “Lakes and Climate Change”, “Hazards, Risks and Management along the Belt and Road Initiative Area” and “Snow Resources of Tianshan Mountain in Central Asia and Avalanches Monitoring”.
After the meeting, the participants went to Issyk-Kul Lake State in the East and Jalalabad State in the South to investigate Kyrgyzstan's agriculture, forestry, animal husbandry and natural reserves in the field.
Professor Li Yaoming, Professor Liu Wenjiang, Professor Duan Weili, Deputy Professor Li Xiaoshuang, Deputy Professor Zhang Hongxiang, Doctor Ma Jinbiao and Doctor Wang Jiancheng of Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography attended the meeting.
Group photo of the participants
President Dzhumataev of Kyrgyzstan Academy of Sciences delivers a speech
Ambassador Du Dewen delivers a speech
Adili Junus, member of the parliament, delivers a speech