Socio-economic and environmental aspects of the development of the Aral Sea region were discussed in China

A discussion of the research project "Plant-soil-hydrological processes and synergetic management at the bottom of the Aral Sea" and a seminar on innovative cooperation "Green Aral Sea" took place in Beijing, the correspondent of the news agency "Doone" reports.

The events are organized by the Embassy of Uzbekistan in China together with the Center for International Cooperation in the Field of Ecology under the Ministry of Ecology of the People's Republic of China (FECO), the Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography of the Chinese Academy of Sciences with the support of the State Foundation of Natural Sciences of China (NSFC) and the Department of Science and Technology of the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP).

The event was attended by representatives of the Ministry of Ecology and Environment, the Ministry of Water Management, heads of leading institutes of the Chinese Academy of Sciences specializing in ecology, such as the Research Institute of Soil Science and Water Conservation, the Institute of Geographical Sciences and Resources of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, the Chinese Academy of Forestry, as well as the SCO Secretariat.

The Uzbek side was represented by the leadership of the Ministry of Investment and Foreign Trade, the Ministry of Innovative Development, the State Committee for Ecology and Environmental Protection and the International Innovation Center of the Aral Sea Region under the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

During the seminar, the socio-economic and environmental situation in the Aral Sea region was considered. The importance of mobilizing funds of the international community for the implementation of practical actions for the implementation of programs and projects aimed at improving the environmental and socio-economic situation in the Aral Sea basin region was emphasized.

The participants of the event highly appreciated the efforts made by Uzbekistan to mitigate the negative consequences of the Aral crisis, including within the framework of the implementation of the State Program for the development of the Aral Sea region for 2017-2021.

Special attention was focused on Uzbekistan's international initiatives, including the creation of a Multi-Partner Trust Fund for Human Security for the Aral Sea region, the adoption of a special UNGA Resolution declaring the Aral Sea region a Zone of environmental innovation and technology. 

The Chinese side shared its experience in implementing innovative projects in ecologically unfavorable regions such as Gansu, Inner Mongolia, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, effective use of various plants adapted to saline soil.

Reports and proposals of leading scientists of Uzbekistan and China on combating desertification and environmental management of the Aral Sea in the future were heard at the meeting.

Following the results of the seminar, experts made recommendations based on scientific research to strengthen the search for innovative approaches to the implementation of joint projects in the Aral Sea region, the use of modern energy, resource and water conservation technologies in industry, the agricultural sector and the municipal and household sphere.