A meeting of the Council of Heads of State-Founders of the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea was held at the Akorda residence, chaired by President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. The Head of State emphasized that this is the only institutional platform designed to coordinate the efforts of the countries in addressing environmental issues in Central Asia. The Aral Sea problem has long taken on a global dimension, and the countries of the region are jointly working to mitigate the devastating consequences of its desiccation. These joint efforts are already yielding positive results in the restoration of the ecosystem of the northern part of the sea.
«The increase in the volume of water in the sea from 18.9 to 23.5 cubic kilometers has had a positive impact on the fishing industry and, overall, on the socio-economic situation in the Aral Sea region. A unique natural and scientific site, the GeoPark Aral, has been created to serve as a model for the area’s sustainable development. The project’s main goal is the preservation of the Aral Sea’s natural, ecological, and historical heritage. Work is currently underway to include the site in the UNESCO Global Geoparks Network. Thus, Kazakhstan’s chairmanship has aimed to enhance the Fund’s effectiveness,» President Tokayev noted.
Nevertheless, environmental threats are still outpacing the scale of measures being implemented. Summers are becoming drier, glacier melt is intensifying, and dust storms are becoming more severe. Each year, tens of millions of tonnes of salt, sand, and various chemical substances are released into the atmosphere. The escalation of these challenges calls for an update of the Fund’s operational mechanisms and deeper regional cooperation in the water sector, President Tokayev emphasized. He proposed introducing a unified automated monitoring system in the Syr Darya and Amu Darya river basins, which would ensure transparency and the reliability of data.
«Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan have begun automating ten sites in the Syr Darya river basin. This experience could be scaled up across the entire Aral Sea basin. The issue of further institutional development of the Fund remains relevant. I believe this process has been somewhat prolonged. As a priority measure, it is proposed to complete the formation of the interstate energy commission. Practice shows that coordination in the energy sector plays an important role in ensuring stable and reliable water supply for our countries,» President Tokayev added.
Today, the Fund is consolidating support for the
preservation of the Aral Sea. More than 30 regional projects are being
implemented with the participation of international organizations, with total
funding exceeding $2 billion. However, efforts must not stop there. The
President stressed the importance of strengthening joint work in this area as
well. The leaders of Central Asian countries also presented their proposals at
the meeting. Following the summit, the Heads of State adopted four final
documents, including a decision to proclaim March 26 as the International Day
of the Aral Sea, the Amu Darya and Syr Darya rivers.
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