The summit of the founding states of the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea was held in Turkemn city of Turkmenbashi, which was attended by members of the delegations of Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan and representatives of the fund's board, the Uzbek President’s press service said.
The President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev made remarks at the meeting
"Today’s historic summit, which takes place after a nearly ten-year break, will open a new page in the organization's activities and will surely give a powerful boost to the partnership in Central Asia. Today we are reiterating our firm readiness for cooperation," Shavkat Mirziyoyev said.
The consequences of the drying out of the Aral Sea are getting aggravated, the Aral Sea region is being steadily invaded by the desert. As a result, water scarcity, soil degradation, biodiversity loss and severe climate change are being observed.
"It is now crucial to unite efforts to overcome the consequences of this catastrophe and improve the social and economic situation in the Aral Sea region, to solve the water and environmental problems of the region, taking into account our common interests," the Uzbek leader said. "The International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea is the only regional organization intended to this cause and today it can become an effective mechanism for cooperation between our countries."
"I am convinced that we will be able to achieve a balance of interests of all countries of the region within the organization, because it is our common future which is at stake," he added.
The President put forward proposals for improving the activities of the Fund Sea, attracting innovations and foreign investment in the region, developing a "green" economy, conducting R&D and on other issues.
