Saving the Aral Sea: Central Asian states debate transboundary water use

Photo credit: gov.kz

Kazakh Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov met with the heads of the delegations of the member states of the 1st meeting of the Executive Board of the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea (IFAS) chaired by Kazakhstan, Kazinform News Agency reports referring to the Government’s press service.

The meeting focused on the joint use of transboundary water resources and further measures to tackle ecological and socioeconomic issues in the Aral Sea basin.

Kazakhstan assumed the chairmanship over the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea (IFAS) in 2042-2026.

The Prime Minister said Heads of State pay great attention to water sector issues. The Kazakh President prioritized the saving of the Aral Sea in long-term international cooperation. The Fund’s main task is the complex and rational use, and protection of water and energy resources of Central Asia given their socioeconomic, energy, irrigation and environmental significance.

He stressed despite the measures taken regarding the deficit of water resources in the Aral Sea basin growing due to climate change as well, the Fund should consolidate the efforts of the concerned states.

The Kazakh Prime Minister highlighted the role of regional cooperation institution and defined the top priorities of the Fund set by the Heads of State of the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea (IFAS).

The International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea (IFAS) was founded in 1993 by five Central Asian countries, including Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan. Its goal is to unite the countries' efforts to mitigate the impacts of the Aral Sea crisis on the environment and population. The Fund finances joint interstate ecological and scientific programs and projects.

As earlier reported, Kazakh Ecology and Natural Resources Minister Yerlan Nyssanbayev suggested building an international center for the afforestation of the dried bottom of the Aral Sea and semidesert areas at the V Meeting of the Heads of Environmental Protection Ministries and Agencies of the SCO member states.