Addressing the signing ceremony of the third phase of co-operation document of the UN, Japan and Department of Environment on Lake Urmia, he said that the UN has identified five areas of co-operation with Iran in the field, IRNA reported.
Water, soil degradation, promoting energy saving and efficiency, achieving a low-carbon economy, air pollution and biodiversity are the areas of co-operation, he said.
Referring to the conditions of Lake Urmia, he said that the lake is of national and international significance, and is currently facing a terrible situation, a risk to public livelihood and health.
The UN envoy also said that the main reason for the drying up of the lake is damming the waters feeding the lake in order to provide livelihoods.
Overusing the resources has brought about this major problem, he said, noting, “We ourselves have created the problems and should solve it.”
UN has launched a sustainable agriculture project in co-operation with Iran and Japan in Lake Urmia’s catchment basin.
The project is aimed at cutting water consumption and controlling the lake’s pollution, and is currently in its third year and will continue, he said.
