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

The event was held as part of the joint project of the Ministry of Ecology, Environmental Protection and Climate Change of Uzbekistan, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and the Global Environment Facility (GEF): “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 Wetlands).

This conference marked the first in a series of thematic workshops on water diplomacy under the Aral Sea Wetlands project and brought together over 50 participants from Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan, as well as representatives of international organizations. Participants included government officials, scientists, NGOs, youth and women’s organizations.

Water diplomacy was the central focus of the conference, highlighted as a key tool for achieving sustainable development and regional stability in the context of climate change, water scarcity, and land degradation. Speakers emphasized the need to shift away from confrontational approaches in transboundary water management in favor of dialogue rooted in scientific evidence, mutual trust and shared benefits.

“Today, water diplomacy no longer means ‘hardline negotiations,’ but rather a pursuit of rational, mutually beneficial solutions based on scientific data and forecasts that reflect our shared interests,” said Alisher Salomov, Adviser to the Minister of Ecology.

The conference featured five thematic sessions covering the following key areas: transboundary water cooperation in the Aral Sea basin, climate change adaptation and integrated water resources management, development of water-saving agriculture and cross-sectoral collaboration, the role of science and education in supporting water diplomacy, protection of natural ecosystems under conditions of water scarcity.

Speakers also included representatives of the Parliament of Uzbekistan, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the "Uzbekcosmos" Agency, the Regional Environmental Centre for Central Asia (CAREC), UNDP, IFAS, and other international organizations.

In his welcoming remarks, Bakhtiyor Pulatov, Deputy Chair of the Committee on Ecology and Environmental Protection of the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan, emphasized that water diplomacy is an integral part of Uzbekistan's domestic and foreign policy. The country has demonstrated a strong commitment to deepening dialogue and cooperation with all regional neighbors to achieve fair and sustainable water use.

Special attention was given to the unique ecosystem of the Pre-Aral region, which—despite the desiccation of the Aral Sea—still preserves critical wetlands and bird migration routes. The Aral Sea Wetlands project aims to conserve these ecosystems, prevent further land degradation, and support the livelihoods of local communities.

The conference reaffirmed that only through open and inclusive dialogue involving all stakeholders—government institutions, NGOs, the scientific community, and local populations—can an effective platform for water diplomacy be created. This approach enables not only the prevention of conflicts but also the joint development of solutions that ensure water security, environmental sustainability, and the well-being of people.