nCa-AI Collaborative Report Once a symbol of ecological disaster, the Aral Sea is witnessing a remarkable recovery, thanks to the concerted efforts of Central Asian nations and international partners. Recent developments highlight significant progress in restoring the Northern Aral Sea, offering hope for environmental recovery, economic revitalization, and improved quality of life for local communities. […]
EU Provides €8.8 Million Grant to Uzbekistan for Aral Sea Basin Land Restoration
The European Union has committed €8.8 million in grant funding to support land restoration efforts in Uzbekistan’s Aral Sea Basin, with a new environmental initiative set to launch in 2025. This investment falls under the EU’s broader “Green Central Asia” initiative, which tackles regional challenges related to water resources, energy, and climate change. The project […]
Kazakhstan Launches New Phase of Aral Sea Greening Project
A new stage of greening of the drained bottom of the Aral Sea launched in Kazakhstan as part of the implementation of a large-scale program to restore the ecosystem of the Aral Sea. The Ministry of Ecology, Geology, and Natural Resources has signed an agreement with the KATCO joint venture, comprising French state-owned Orano Mining […]
IFAS and AFD Join Forces to Secure Water Future in Central Asia
The Executive Committee of the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea (EC IFAS) and the French Development Agency (AFD) announce a partnership to promote sustainable water resources management in Central Asia. As part of the “One Water Summit” initiative, AFD announces that it has authorized a grant of €2 million for EC IFAS, a […]
Ashgabat hosted Regional Consultative Meeting on discussion of the establishment of the United Nations Special Programme for the Aral Sea Basin (UNSPAS) was held
From 30 November to 1 December 2024, the Regional Consultative Meeting of the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) on discussion of the establishment of the United Nations Special Programme for the Aral Sea Basin (UNSPAS) was held in Ashagbat. The proposal to establish the UN Special Programme for the Aral […]
Kazakhstan Outlines Priorities for Aral Sea Conservation
Kazakhstan’s Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov met with representatives of Central Asian countries to discuss the priorities of the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea (IFAS) during Kazakhstan’s chairmanship. At a meeting in Astana on 18 September, Bektenov presented the key objectives for IFAS, which include promoting integrated water resource management, addressing environmental and socio-economic […]
The first meeting of the Board of the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea held in Astana
On 18 September 2024, Astana hosted the first meeting of the Board of the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea (IFAS) within the framework of the Kazakhstan’s chairmanship. According to the Press Service of the Government of Kazakhstan, the event, chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Kanat Bozumbayev, was attended by Minister of Water Resources […]
Positive News for the Caspian Sea: Sea Level in Kazakhstan Up Over a Meter
Floods bring relief to Atyrau region and replenish other water bodies in the country The Caspian Sea in Kazakhstan has some good news to report. The water level in the northeastern part (Atyrau region) has risen by a significant 119 centimeters (over a meter) in 2024. This increase is attributed to the abundant discharge of […]
Hope for the Aral Sea: Italy and Central Asia Partner on Restoration Project
The Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (Aics) and the Water system management company (Sogesid) signed a document, which will pave the way for realization of project of Aral sea rehabilitation. The declaration of intent for the “definition of an operational and functional model for environmental remediation and regeneration interventions in contaminated areas” was inked on […]
ПРООН завершила серию семинаров по интеграции адаптации к изменению климата в водохозяйственное планирование
Ашхабад, 11 апреля 2024 г.: В рамках проекта «Развитие национального процесса планирования адаптации в Туркменистане», реализуемого Программой развития Организации Объединенных Наций (ПРООН) при финансовой поддержке Зеленого климатического фонда (ЗКФ) в сотрудничестве с Министерством охраны окружающей среды Туркменистана, 8 – 9 апреля 2024г. был проведен заключительный семинар серии мероприятий по адаптации к изменению климата при водохозяйственном […]
UNDP concludes a series of workshops on integrating climate change adaptation into water management planning
Ashgabat, 11 April 2024: Within the framework of the project “Developing a National Adaptation Planning Process in Turkmenistan”, implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) with the financial support from the Green Climate Fund (GCF) in cooperation with the Ministry of Environmental Protection of Turkmenistan, the concluding workshop of a series of events on […]
ПРООН и партнеры организовали Региональный семинар по водной дипломатии для укрепления сотрудничества в области устойчивого управления водными ресурсами в Центральной Азии
Ашхабад, 11 апреля 2024 года: ПРООН в Туркменистане совместно с Международным фондом спасения Арала (МФСА) в Центральной Азии и Научно-информационным центром Межгосударственной комиссии по устойчивому развитию (НИЦ МКУР) организовали Региональный семинар по водной дипломатии. Семинар был проведен 9 апреля 2024 г. в здании ООН в Ашхабаде. Мероприятие было организовано в рамках Проекта «Сохранение и устойчивое […]
UNDP and partners held a Regional seminar on water diplomacy to strengthen cooperation for sustainable water management in Central Asia
Ashgabat, April 11, 2024: UNDP in Turkmenistan, together with the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea (IFAS) in Central Asia and the Scientific Information Centre of the Interstate Commission for Sustainable Development (SIC ICSD), organized a regional seminar on water diplomacy. The seminar was held on April 9 in the UN building in Ashgabat. The event […]
UNDP promotes Turkmenistan’s participation in efforts to restore the Aral Sea basin at the ICSD meeting in Astana
Astana, March 27-28, 2024: Within the framework of the UNDP/GEF project “Conservation and Sustainable Management of Land Resources and High Nature Value Ecosystems in the Aral Sea Basin for Multiple Benefits”, UNDP organized a trip of a high-level delegation from Turkmenistan to Astana, Kazakhstan, to participate in the meeting of the Interstate Commission for Sustainable […]
Italy Proposes Aral Sea Restoration Project to Central Asia
An Italian engineering company has unveiled a project to revive the Aral Sea basin, offering hope for environmental recovery in Central Asia where the sea’s shrinkage stands as a major crisis. President Roberto Mantovanelli and CEO Errico Stravato of SOGESID presented the initiative to ambassadors of Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan at the Ministry for […]
Kazakhstan Gears Up for Second Phase of Northern Aral Sea Restoration Project
Kazakhstan is preparing to launch the second phase of the project to restore the Northern Aral Sea. Having completed a feasibility study that’s currently under state expertise, the Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation is setting the stage for further collaboration with the World Bank. This renewed partnership builds on significant progress achieved in 2023, […]
Kazakhstan and Hopes to Save the Aral Lake
Prof. Dr. Abdulvahap kara Efforts to save the Aral Sea, which constitutes one of the world’s biggest ecological disasters, continue. Kazakhstan took over the presidency of the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea (IFAS), which has increased its activities in this regard in recent years. As of January 2024. Kazakhstan will fulfill this duty […]
Greening the Aral Sea: Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan Lead the Way
Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, two Central Asian nations deeply affected by the Aral Sea’s environmental tragedy, are spearheading remarkable efforts to green the vast, exposed seabed. Their determined strides in reforestation hold immense promise for mitigating the ecological disaster’s negative impact on the region and beyond. Kazakhstan has set a target for 2024: sowing 275,000 hectares […]
President Serdar Berdimuhamedov and UNEP Executive Director discussed Turkmenistan’s international climate initiatives
On 1 December 2023, in Dubai, President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov held a meeting with Ms.Inger Andersen, Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations and Executive Director of UNEP, on the sidelines of the COP28 Conference, TDH reports. The sides expressed satisfaction with the opportunity to discuss topical issues of cooperation in the environmental field. At the […]
The Aral Sea once again becomes a symbol of hope and renewal
Uzbekistan delegation took part in the historic UN conference On 22-24 March, the Water Conference of this structure is being held at the UN Headquarters, in New York. All member countries and specialized agencies of the UN, with the participation of authoritative speakers, are considering the issues of uniting the world on the way to […]
International Conference “Central Asia: towards sustainable future through strong regional institution”
International Conference “Central Asia: Towards sustainable future through strong regional institution” The dedicated to the 30th anniversary of the International Fund for saving the Aral Sea will be held on 5-7 June 2023 in Dushanbe, Republic of Tajikistan. For 30 years of its activity, IFAS has been able to provide a regional platform for dialogue […]
Russian Holding to perform US $ 20 million worth seismic exploration of the Aral Sea in Uzbekistan
The Russian Geological Exploration Holding ‘Rosgeologiya’ (Rosgeo) will conduct seismic exploration of the Aral Sea bottom in Uzbekistan. This was announced by the company’s CEO Sergey Gorkov, writes UzDaily. The contract for seismic exploration in the Aral Sea in Uzbekistan was signed at the end of March 2023. Its cost is 1.6 billion rubles (US […]
The visit of the UNDP Resident Representative in Turkmenistan to Lebap velayat
UNDP Resident Representative in Turkmenistan, Ms. Narine Sahakyan paid her first two-day working visit to the Lebap velayat, from April 24 to 26, 2023, within the framework of the project “Conservation and Sustainable Management of Land Resources and High Nature Value Ecosystems in the Aral Sea Basin for Multiple Benefits” (the Aral Sea project), funded […]
Uzbekistan introduces foreign diplomats to the situation in the Aral Sea region
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Uzbekistan organized an information tour to the Aral Sea region for ambassadors and heads of diplomatic missions of international organizations accredited in the country. The purpose of the visit to the Republic of Karakalpakstan is to raise awareness on the efforts undertaken by Uzbekistan to restore the ecology of […]
Dushanbe Gears Up for the Summit of the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Tajikistan announced on Wednesday, 30 Aug, that preparations are underway for the next meeting of the Council of the Heads of the Founding States of the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea. The meeting will be held on 14-15 September 2023 in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, in conjunction with the […]
Dushanbe Meeting of the Council of the Heads of the Founding States of the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea – Outcomes
nCa Report On 15 September 2023, a meeting of the Council of the Heads of the Founding States of the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea was held in Dushanbe. The meeting was attended by: • Tajikistan – President Emomali Rahmon • Kazakhstan – President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev • Turkmenistan – President Serdar Berdimuhamedov • […]
Full text of the UNESCAP resolution on establishment of the United Nations special programme for the Aral Sea basin (UNSPAS) initiated by Turkmenistan
United Nations E/ESCAP/RES/79/8 Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific Seventy-ninth session Agenda item 4 (d) Resolution adopted by the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific on 19 May 2023 79/8. Consideration of the modalities for the establishment of the United Nations special programme for the Aral Sea basin The […]
Water level in Aral Sea rises by 48 centimeters
The level of water in the Aral Sea has risen by 48 cm, informs the official website of the governorate of the Kyzylorda region of Kazakhstan. According to the information, the head of the Aral-Syrdarya Basin Inspectorate Zeynulla Kaztoganov said that from October 2022 to date, the water level in the sea has risen to […]
IFAS Projects worth over $590 million aim to improve lives of 60 million in Aral Basin
Within the framework of the Aral Sea Basin Program-4 (ASPB-4), the flagship project of the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea, 25 major projects totaling $591.3 million are in the process of implementation. This was stated by the chief specialist of the IFAS Department of International Relations Dilorom Sheralieva in an interview with the […]
Kyrgyzstan Eyes IFAS Return, But Only If All Countries’ Interests Are Considered Equally
Kyrgyzstan hopes for its full-fledged resumption of activities in the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea (IFAS), provided that the interests of all countries in the region are equally and fairly taken into account. The statement came from the First Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Kyrgyz Republic Adylbek Kasymaliyev, who […]
Logo of the 30th Anniversary of the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea: A Symbol of Hope and Renewal
On 14-15 September 2023, Dushanbe will host the Fifth Anniversary Consultative Meeting of the Heads of Central Asian States and the next meeting of the Council of the Heads of the Founding States of the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea. This year, the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea (IFAS) celebrates 30th […]
President of Kazakhstan initiates creating an International water and energy consortium in Central Asia
President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev calls for early completion of the process of improving the organizational structure and legal framework of the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea, as well as the creation of a mechanism for the effective use of Central Asia’s water and energy resources. He stated this, speaking on Friday, 15 […]
President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov: “The Central Asian Water Strategy could become the basis for the development of the UN Global Water Strategy in the future”
At a meeting of the Council of the Heads of the Founding States of the International Fund for the Aral Sea in Dushanbe on 15 September, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov pledged Turkmenistan’s continued support for implementing specific initiatives of the IFAS founding countries to enhance regional cooperation and develop systemic mechanisms for cooperation in environmental protection […]
President of Uzbekistan: It is important that the IFAS reform process is based on the principle of “water – energy – food”
Uzbekistan President Shavkat Mirziyoyev shared his vision for reforming the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea (IFAS) at a meeting of the Heads of State of the founding countries in Dushanbe on 15 September 2023. This topic was one of the central themes in the speeches of the Presidents of Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan. […]
Special Representative of UN Secretary-General for Central Asia addresses the Council of heads of founding states of the International Fund for Saving the Aral sea
On 15 September 2023, Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Central Asia Kaha Imnadze participated in the Council of Heads of Founding States of IFAS in Dushanbe, Republic of Tajikistan. At the meeting, hosted by the President of the Republic of Tajikistan, the Heads of the Founding States welcomed the activities under the Chairmanship […]
Tajikistan President Highlights Need for Regional Cooperation on Climate Change
At a meeting of the Heads of the founding States of the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea in Dushanbe on 15 September, President Emomali Rahmon highly appreciated the thirty-year activity of IFAS, but believes there is still much work to be done. “This is especially important taking into account the population in the […]
The Fate of the Caspian – Is the Fate of Aral Lake waiting for the Caspian Sea?
Prof. Dr. Abdulvahap Kara Experts warn of the possibility of a new ecological disaster on the Caspian Sea in recent years, similar to the drying up of the Aral Sea. One of the important reasons for this is that the water of the Ural River is decreasing from year to year. The Ural River reaches […]
Turkmenistan highlighted the Aral problem at the ESCAP session and contributed to the creation of a special UN mechanism
The 79th session of the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) in Bangkok, Thailand, has adopted the Resolution titled “Consideration of the conditions for the creation of a special United Nations program for the Aral Sea basin” at the initiative of Turkmenistan, the foreign ministry of Turkmenistan reports. The document was […]
Turkmenistan participated in the meeting of the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea in Dushanbe
On 5 June 2023, a regular meeting of the Board of the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea (IFAS) was held in Dushanbe, the Embassy of Turkmenistan in Tajikistan reports. The delegation of Turkmenistan was headed by Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of Turkmenistan Annageldy Yazmyradov. The meeting was attended by high-ranking […]
UNDP in Turkmenistan expands livelihoods of local communities for alternative income sources
Within the framework of the project “Conservation and Sustainable Management of Land Resources and High Nature Value Ecosystems in the Aral Sea Basin for Multiple Benefits”, jointly implemented by UNDP and the Ministry of Agriculture and Environmental Protection of Turkmenistan, a workshop was held on June 9, 2023 in the city of Seydi of Danev […]
The European Union contributes to mitigating the major environmental crisis in Central Asia
27,000 tree seedlings were planted by the European Union on the dried bottom of the Aral Sea on the territory of the Republic of Karakalpakstan, Uzbekistan. It is noteworthy that this figure symbolizes the 27 EU member states that have made this “green” gift to the Central Asian country. According to the EU Delegation to […]
How to save the Aral Sea?
Prof. Dr. Abdulvahap Kara President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev at the 4th consultative meeting of the heads of Central Asian states stressed the need to take decisive measures for the effective use of the water resources of the Aral Sea basin. As known, this meeting took place in the city of Cholpon-Ata, […]
UN declares the Aral region a zone of environmental innovations and technologies
Elvira Kadyrova The UN General Assembly has unanimously adopted a resolution declaring the Aral Sea region a zone of ecological innovations and technologies. The document, initiated by Uzbekistan, was co-authored by more than 50 nations, including Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Russia, Tajikistan, and Belarus. The drying of the Aral Sea has become one of the serious […]
Пресс-релиз
28-го мая 2019 в штаб-квартире Организации Объединенных Наций, г. Нью-Йорк, США состоялось 85-ое пленарное заседание 73-ей сессии Генеральной АссамблеиООН при участии полномочных представителей государств-членов Организации. В ходе заседания была единогласно принята резолюция «Сотрудничество между Организацией Объединенных Наций и Международным фондом спасения Арала», инициатором которой выступил Туркменистан.Соавтором данной резолюции выступили 21 страна. Отмечая, что вопрос сохранения […]
Press release
On the 28th of May 2019, the 85th plenary meeting of the 73rd Session of the United Nations General Assembly was held in the headquarters of the United Nations with participation of plenipotentiary representatives of the Organizations’ member-states. During the meeting, the Resolution on “Cooperation between the United Nations and the International Fund for Saving […]
A sea of hopes
Ruslan Osmonov Some 150 million tons of toxic dust is carried by the wind every year around the world from the bottom of the drying Aral Sea. It is inhaled by the inhabitants of Asia, Europe, and sometimes even Antarctica. The zone of destruction from the consequences of the largest environmental catastrophe of mankind has […]