The fourth information-sharing meeting on the Assessment Studies of the proposed Rogun Hydropower Project (HPP) in Tajikistan was held on October 17, 18 and 20, 2013 by videoconference and telephone connection between the World Bank offices in Central Asia, as well as Kabul, Afghanistan, and Paris, France. The information-sharing meeting was chaired by the World Bank in Dushanbe, Tajikistan.
The fourth information-sharing meeting in October covered summaries of two reports that address aspects of dam safety. The discussion of these summaries was part of a phased process of inputs into the analysis of dam alternatives.
- Geological and Geotechnical Investigation of the Salt Wedge in the Dam Foundation and Reservoir (Phase 0 of the TEAS Terms of Reference)
- Assessment of the Existing Rogun HPP Works, including caverns and tunnels (Phase I of the TEAS Terms of Reference)
These summaries were submitted by the consultant, Coyne et Bellier, reviewed by the independent Panel of Experts, and will not be considered final until after comments from riparian counterparts and civil society stakeholders are received and carefully considered. These summaries are also posted on the Government of Tajikistan’s website.
Feedback and comments from all interested civil society representatives from the riparian countries: Afghanistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan, were collected until November 4, 2013 at rogunconsult@worldbank.org and by mail. The comment period for the 4th round of riparian consultation and information-sharing was closed on November 4, 2013.
For additional information, please contact:
- in Almaty: Vigen Sargsyan (vsargsyan@worldbank.org)
- in Astana: Shynar Jetpissova (sjetpissova@worldbank.org)
- in Ashgabat: Oraz Sultanov (osultanov@worldbank.org)
- in Bishkek: Natalya Iosipenko (niosipenko@worldbank.org)
- in Dushanbe: Nigina Alieva (nalieva1@worldbank.org)
- in Tashkent: Irina Tsoy (itsoy@worldbank.org)
The World Bank is committed to ensuring good practice in information-sharing and encourages all interested members of civil society to provide their comments and feedback.
The report from the 4th Riparian Meetings can be viewed here.
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* At the request of the Central Asian governments, the Bank is working to ensure that the two ongoing Assessment Studies — the Techno-Economic Assessment Study (TEAS) and Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) — are objective, meet international technical standards, and are informed by a consultative process among riparian governments and civil society groups. To this end, the World Bank invites input and review by riparian stakeholders at key points in the study process. Three information sharing sessions have been held (May 2011, November 2012, February 2013) to share emerging analysis from the interim assessment studies and solicit feedback.
** "It is important to clarify that these assessment studies will not determine whether the proposed Rogun dam will be built, nor the final design should a project proceed,” said Saroj Kumar Jha, World Bank Regional Director for Central Asia. “The studies serve as an input to decision-making, but a variety of other factors such as international agreements and financing would need to be considered before the future of the proposed Rogun project is decided. The World Bank has made no financial commitment to support construction of the proposed dam. Our role is to help establish objective, independent, and comprehensive facts for all stakehoders."