On November 20, 2007 at the Office of the Executive Committee of IFAS in Dushanbe has taken place a Board Meeting of the International Fund for saving the Aral Sea. Delegations of the countries-founders of IFAS led by members (the authorized members) Boards of IFAS, directors of branches and members of the Executive Committee of IFAS, heads and representatives of the ministries and departments of the Republic of Tajikistan, embassies of the Central Asia countries accredited in Dushanbe, international organizations and mass-media have taken part in its work.

The Minister of melioration and water resources of Republic Tajikistan Mr. Saidi Yokubzod was as chair of the session.

The Minister of melioration and water resources of the Republic of Tajikistan Mr. S. Yokubzod read out the salutatory message of the President of IFAS, President of the Republic of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon to the participants of Board Meeting of IFAS.

By opening remarks have addressed the heads of official delegations of the member-countries of IFAS - Mr. Ryabtsev A.D - Chair of the Water Resources Committee, Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Mr. Koshmatov B.T. - Director General of the Water Economy Department of the Ministry of Agriculture, Water Economy and Processing Industry of the Kyrgyz Republic, Mr. Atalyev K.H. - Deputy Minister of Water Economy of Turkmenistan and Mr. Khamraev Sh. R. - Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Water Economy of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

The IFAS Board has considered the issues on:

• Realization of projects and programs, connected with solution of the Aral Sea Basin problems, at the expense of all sources of financing and tasks on activation of efforts of IFAS bodies and states-founders of IFAS on realization of ASBP-2;

• Preparation to the 1-st Asia Pacific Water Summit;

• Preparation and carrying out of 15-th anniversary of IFAS;

• Dam safety.

The Acting Chairman of the Executive Committee of IFAS Mr. S. Rahimov has presented information on each of the considered issues. In particular, it has been noted that thanks to permanent attention of the Governments of the Central Asia countries, some international organizations and donor-countries for reporting period have been realized and realizing many programs and projects aimed at improvement of ecological and socio-economic situation in the Aral Sea Basin. Only for reporting period at the expense of contributions of the states-founders of IFAS have been implemented the projects to the amount of USD 3,505 mln., and from beginning of acceptance of ASBP-2 it was allocated only USD 35,7 mln. As well as it has been noted that it is necessary to activate work of the Executive Committee of IFAS and its structural divisions with international organizations and donors for realization of ASBP-2 and continuation of monitoring of implemented actions.

About the preparation for the 1st Asia-Pacific Water Summit it was mentioned that the Executive Committee of IFAS and GWP CACENA are in an active preparation for the 1st Asia Pacific Water Summit to be held on December 3-4, 2007, in Beppu, Japan. The main goal of carrying out of this Summit is creation of a platform for discussion of water problems at the highest level. Within the framework of this Summit, the Executive Committee of IFAS organizes a panel session: «Commitment for Ensuring Water Security in the Aral Sea Basin - Cooperation versus Competition». The purpose of carrying out of the given session is discussion of existing problems and promotion of new initiatives for achievement of sustainable water resources management in Central Asia in context of APWF Priority Themes.

As well, it was underlined, that in 2008 IFAS has 15-th anniversary. There is a need in organization of the complex events devoted to the 15-th anniversary of IFAS establishment, with participation of all countries of region and international organizations. For this purpose the Executive Committee of IFAS has drown a plan «Program of organizational actions for preparation and carrying out of the 15 anniversary of IFAS establishment» according to which the Executive Committee of IFAS, ICWC and ICSD are required to be in an active preparation for carrying out of anniversary actions.

As dams safety it was noted that the project «Dams safety in Central Asia: capacity building and regional cooperation» is realised by UN ECE and UN ESCAP in collaboration with the Executive Committee of IFAS by financial support of the Government of Finland. Within the framework of the project are developed the modelling project of the national law on dam’s safety and the project of regional agreement on cooperation in the field of hydrotechnical facilities safety. Now these materials are considered by the countries through EurAsEC. The project of the Model law and the project of regional agreement are a key contribution to the further development of national laws, potential of national organizations and regional cooperation. Since autumn of 2007, the Phase II of the project supported by UN ECE and UN ESCAP has begun. Having promoted cooperation on ensuring dam safety, UN ECE and UN ESCAP make essential contribution not only to safety and cooperation, but also to the further development of good-neighborly relations in the Central Asia states.

Following the results of discussion of presented questions have been made corresponding decisions of IFAS Board.