Ashgabat, TURKMENISTAN

Special Representative of the Secretary- General for Central Asia, Natalia Gherman, on behalf of the UN Secretary-General, António Guterres, expressed support to the collaborative efforts of Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan aimed at mitigating the consequences of the breach at the Sardoba dam that happened on 1 May.

High-level interaction and the personal attention of the leaders made it possible to provide timely relief and support to the affected people, said the Special Representative.

“Joint efforts in response to the matter set a valuable example. Cross-border cooperation in such circumstances is critical to easing human suffering and providing relief in the most effective and efficient way possible.”

“This approach goes to the heart of the mandate of the United Nations Regional Centre for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia,” noted Natalia Gherman.

Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Central Asia, Natalia Gherman, assured the Presidents of Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan that UNRCCA and the United Nations agencies  operating in these countries stand ready to support the national Governments in the relief efforts as needed.