National Committee on Ecology and Climate Change of the Republic of Uzbekistan

The workshop was organized as part of a joint project between the Ministry of Ecology, Environmental Protection and Climate Change and the United Nations Development Programme, funded by the Global Environment Facility: “Conservation and sustainable management of lakes, wetlands, and riparian corridors as pillars of a resilient and land degradation neutral Aral basin landscape supporting sustainable livelihoods” (The Aral Sea Wetlands Project).

To ensure effective and inclusive water resources management, a Multilateral Task Force has been established, bringing together representatives of relevant ministries and agencies, water users, the scientific community, local communities, and environmental organizations. This platform will serve as a key mechanism for harmonizing interests, sharing experience, and developing balanced solutions in the fields of rational water use, ecosystem protection, and climate change adaptation.

More than 20 experts and representatives from the Ministry of Ecology, the Ministry of Water Management, local authorities, scientific institutions, and international partners took part in the first meeting. The discussions addressed key issues, including:

–Ensuring minimum environmental flows to maintain wetlands, lakes, and floodplain territories;

–Revising irrigation standards to account for new climatic realities;

–Assessing the technical condition of water supply infrastructure;

–Developing inter-agency coordination mechanisms for the sustainable functioning of ecosystem spillways.

The working group will play a strategic role in preparing scientifically grounded recommendations for updating water policy and improving legal regulations in this area. In the near future, a detailed action plan with clear timeframes and stages of implementation is expected to be approved.

Special attention during the meeting was given to the forthcoming field expedition, which will include both national and international experts. The main objective of the expedition is to update data on the condition of wetlands in the Aral Sea region. The collected data will form the foundation for a comprehensive programme to improve water supply to these unique natural areas, which are vital for both ecological preservation and the sustainable development of local communities.

The wetlands of the Aral Sea region possess exceptional conservation, climatic, ecological, social, economic, scientific, and cultural value. Their conservation and restoration are not only steps toward ensuring the environmental security of the region but also significant contributions to the global goals of sustainable development and human well-being.