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Tehran, Iran, 6 September 2022 – The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in the Islamic Republic of Iran welcomes a US$ 2.8 million (JPY 382,000,000) contribution from the Government of Japan to strengthen the resilience of local communities against water shortage in the Chabahar Area.

During recent years, challenges caused by prolonged and continuous droughts in Sistan and Baluchestan from water reduction in north to severe decline of ground water resources in central and south, have affected the entire province, including in the Chabahar Area. Providing clean water supply infrastructure is a priority for the region and essential to the COVID-19 socio-economic recovery efforts.

In a signing ceremony held on 6 September at the Embassy of Japan, in the presence of His Excellency Kazutoshi AIKAWA, Ambassador of Japan to the Islamic Republic of Iran and Claudio Providas, UNDP Resident Representative in Iran, UNDP and the Government of Japan signed a project document entitled “Strengthening the resilience of vulnerable local communities against water shortage thorough provision of desalination system and effective use of water in agriculture in Chabahar Area.” The project will be implemented jointly and in close collaboration with the Ministries of Interior, and Agriculture Jihad and the Sistan and Baluchestan Governorship in the target area for duration of three years.

The project will provide sustainable and clean water and energy solutions, including through water efficient agricultural management practices for sustainable livelihoods in target communities. Improved access to clean water and energy can reverse current migration trends in the province and can facilitate creation of employment and self-employment opportunities.

“There are opportunities that can significantly impact the socio-economic development in Chabahar Area. This can be achieved through the development of renewable energies, the introduction of innovative water-efficient and climate-smart agricultural practices and technology as well as promotion of sustainable livelihoods,” said Claudio Providas. He added: “Japan is a longstanding partner of UNDP in Iran, and we are grateful to the People and Government of Japan for this generous contribution.”

According to H.E. Mr. AIKAWA, “In the field of sustainable agricultural practices and biodiversity conservation, Japan has been continuously supporting UNDP’s project via local community participation since 2014 and I do believe that the knowledge and experiences gathered through all these years will be useful for successful implementation of this new project.” 

UNDP is committed to support the Government of Iran in implementation of the projects aimed at building resilience and betterment of local communities’ livelihoods based on sustainable solutions in the areas of agriculture, water resources management and renewable energies. 

Media contact in UNDP Iran: communications.ir@undp.org

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