President Reviews Projects for Uzbekistan’s Chairmanship of the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea

The International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea (IFAS) was established by the Central Asian countries in 1993. Over the years, effective cooperation among the countries of the region and support from international organizations have enabled the fund to coordinate the management of water resources in the Aral Sea basin.

As climate change and growing water consumption exacerbate water shortages in Central Asia, the fund's role and importance continue to grow. Uzbekistan will chair the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea from 2027 to 2029.

The presentation covered projects planned for implementation during this period, as well as key issues on the upcoming agenda.

As noted, 133 projects have been developed covering water resources, environmental protection, and socioeconomic development. These include the modernization and reconstruction of water management facilities, the introduction of automated systems for water distribution, accounting, and monitoring, the creation of a regional digital platform for monitoring hydrometeorological data, forecasting floods and droughts, and providing early warnings, as well as improving public access to drinking water and sanitation services.

The total cost of the projects is $3.3 billion. Financing is planned with support from the World Bank, the Asian Development Bank, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, the Green Climate Fund, the Global Environment Facility, and other international organizations.

Emphasizing the importance of implementing these projects on time, the President instructed officials to approve a month-by-month roadmap for next year and ensure its implementation. He also emphasized the need to involve international experts, professors, and researchers, including compatriots living abroad, in the projects.

The presentation also addressed the priorities of Uzbekistan's chairmanship of IFAS. Particular attention will be paid to further improving the fund's structure and legal framework, clearly defining the powers of its bodies, and strengthening constructive cooperation with Afghanistan. Efforts will also focus on aligning the fund's agenda with the decisions of the Consultative Meetings of the Heads of State of Central Asia and other areas of work.

The presentation also addressed scientific and analytical support for the fund's activities. Tashkent Institute of Irrigation and Agricultural Mechanization Engineers National Research University will serve as a scientific and analytical platform for implementing its initiatives.

To this end, the transformation of the university's activities is envisaged. The introduction of artificial intelligence technologies into education and research will be accelerated, while research on ecological restoration and water conservation will be expanded. Particular attention will be paid to training highly qualified specialists to meet modern requirements.

In particular, a unified database for the Amu Darya and Syr Darya basins will be created, projects to combat desertification will be developed jointly with scientists from countries in the region, investments and grants will be attracted, and bachelor's and master's degree programs in water management will be launched for students from Central Asia and Afghanistan.

The President instructed responsible officials to ensure the timely, high-quality, and full implementation of all measures planned during Uzbekistan's chairmanship of the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea. These include strengthening cooperation with neighboring countries through relevant ministries and agencies, ensuring the participation of regional khokims, and advancing water diplomacy in the region through joint educational and research programs.