The President of Uzbekistan outlined the prospects for cooperation within the framework of the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea

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On September 15, President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev, at the invitation of President of the Republic of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon, took part in the regular meeting of the Council of the Heads of the Founding States of the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea.

The event, which was chaired by the Tajik side, was attended by President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov, as well as First Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Kyrgyz Republic Adylbek Kasymaliyev and Special Representative of the UN Secretary–General - Head of the UN Regional Center for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia Kakha Imnadze.

In accordance with the agenda, the results of Tajikistan's chairmanship in IFAS in 2020-2023 were summed up, views were exchanged on topical issues of improving the environmental, water management and socio-economic situation in the Aral Sea basin, and prospects for further expansion of mutually beneficial cooperation within the framework of the Fund were discussed.

In his speech, the President of Uzbekistan highlighted the successful holding of the International Water Conference under the co-chairmanship of the President of the Republic of Tajikistan at the headquarters of the United Nations. As a result of this historic event, it was possible to draw the attention of the entire international community to vital issues and problems in the field of water.

The Head of our state analyzed the role and significance of this structure over the 30 years since its foundation in addressing issues of countering environmental challenges, developing coordinated approaches to the implementation of joint programs and projects in the Aral Sea basin.

– The International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea is, first of all, a unique experience of multilateral cooperation of the Central Asian countries in solving one of the most acute problems on a global scale, – the head of our state noted.

In the context of the emergence of new challenges and threats due to global climate change, it was emphasized that the demand for such regional cooperation is increasing even more. The problem of water shortage in Central Asia has become acute and irreversible and will only worsen further.

The leader of Uzbekistan, noting the importance of the tasks of legal and institutional support for the effectiveness of multilateral partnership, outlined a number of practical proposals for further cooperation in the water and environmental sphere.

As part of the work to further improve the legal framework and modernize the institutional mechanisms of the Fund, it was proposed to conduct an inventory and revise the main documents and agreements, analyze the current structure and prepare proposals to improve the coordination and effectiveness of the work of the Fund's organizations, develop "Rules and Procedures" that clearly regulate the issues of cooperation and the activities of the Fund.

– It is important that the process of development and reform of the Fund be based on the principle of intersectorality – an integrated approach "water – energy – food", taking into account modern environmental challenges, - the head of our state emphasized.

Expressing concern about the progress of the implementation of the fourth Action Program to Assist the countries of the Aral Sea basin, which is carried out mainly through national plans, the President of Uzbekistan proposed to entrust the Fund's Board with its critical revision and preparation of roadmaps for the implementation of each regional project with the definition of volumes and sources of funding, as well as agreed schedules for their implementation.

They also noted the need to strengthen systemic cooperation on attracting investment, technology and technical assistance to promote priority regional projects.

In this regard, it is proposed that each country undertake commitments to attract external assistance to regional projects by defining specific targets, and, with the coordination of the presiding party, develop mechanisms for attracting and distributing investments and technical assistance.

In addition, it was proposed to convene a special regional conference in order to accelerate the implementation of joint projects with the involvement of foreign partners, leading international institutions and donor organizations.

The Head of Uzbekistan stressed that in order to promote a coordinated policy on integrated management of water and energy resources in the region, it is advisable to develop long-term development Plans for the Amu Darya and Syr Darya basins with the participation of international consultants.

– Special attention should be paid to the organization at the regional level of work with young people in the formation of a culture of respect for water and other natural resources, support for youth initiatives
and startups through the adoption of a special program. We count on the close involvement of the Regional Center for Preventive Diplomacy in the consideration of these issues," the head of our state noted.

Separately focusing on the issues of cooperation in preventing further degradation of ecosystems, primarily in the Aral Sea region, the President of our country noted that large-scale work is currently being carried out in Uzbekistan to improve the environmental and social situation in the Aral Sea region.

– In the last few years, forest plantations have been carried out on the dried-up bottom of the Aral Sea on an area of 1.7 million hectares. In the next two years, it is planned to create protective green strips on another 400 thousand hectares. To mitigate the consequences of the Aral disaster, as well as to preserve biodiversity in the Aral Sea region on an area of more than 3.5 million hectares, natural parks, nature reserves and state reserves have been created," Shavkat Mirziyoyev said.

In addition, full-scale measures to improve the efficiency of water use are presented. Over the past 7 years, water-saving technologies have been implemented on an area of more than 1 million hectares, which is about a quarter of all irrigated land in the country.

The partners were invited to strengthen cooperation in the field of water conservation, identifying it as one of the priorities of the Fund's activities. In order to comprehensively address all these issues, it is necessary to establish a Regional platform for regular meetings of ministers of water resources, Energy, Ecology and Economy.

The President of Uzbekistan also shared his vision regarding the construction of the Kushtepa canal. It was noted that a new participant in the water use process has appeared in the region, in connection with which it was proposed to form a joint working group to study all aspects of the construction of the canal and its impact on the water regime of the Amu Darya River with the involvement of research institutes of our countries, as well as to consider the involvement of representatives of Afghanistan in a regional dialogue on the joint use of water resources.

At the end of his speech, the Head of our state expressed his conviction that the implementation of the initiatives put forward and the documents adopted at the meeting will increase efficiency and expand mutually beneficial cooperation
within the framework of the Fund for the benefit of our peoples and the prosperity of the entire Central Asian region.

The heads of Tajikistan, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan and a member of the Government of Kyrgyzstan also spoke at the meeting, and a message from the Secretary-General of the United Nations was read out.

Following the results of the event, the heads of the IFAS founding states signed the following documents:

- Dushanbe statement by the Heads of the founding States of the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea;

- The decision of the Council of the Heads of the IFAS Founding States on the results of the chairmanship of the Republic of Tajikistan in the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea;

- The decision of the Council of the Heads of the IFAS Founding States on the election of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev as the President of the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea for 2024-2026;

- The decision of the Council of the Heads of the IFAS Founding States on activities to improve the organizational structure and legal framework of the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea.

The chairmanship of IFAS for 2024-2026 has passed to the Republic of Kazakhstan.