- Over 40 environmental initiatives are underway to restore the Aral Sea basin.
- IFAS Board meets in Astana to advance regional sustainability cooperation.
- Kazakhstan proposes March 26 as International Day of the Aral Sea.
Over 40 environmental initiatives are currently underway in the Aral Sea basin, as revealed during the second meeting of the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea (IFAS) Board, which took place on Oct. 10 in Astana under Kazakhstan’s leadership.
The gathering, led by Kazakhstan's Deputy Prime Minister Kanat Bozumbayev, included senior officials from Central Asian nations, as reported by the Prime Minister’s press office. In his initial statements, Bozumbayev emphasized that the global community looks for not just declarations but also initiatives to protect the natural resources of the Aral Sea.
“These are part of the global environmental agenda linked to sustainable development, food and energy security, and the quality of life for tens of millions of people,” he said.
Bozumbayev highlighted that Kazakhstan completely aligns with the perspective shared by Central Asian leaders during the recent United Nations General Assembly, stressing the importance of trust, solidarity, and joint efforts to safeguard the environment.
Participants evaluated the arrangements for the forthcoming meeting of the IFAS Council of Heads of State, set for April 2026, and deliberated on the execution of the IFAS Executive Committee’s Work Plan for 2024–2026.
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The agenda featured updates on the Program of Action to Support the Nations of the Aral Sea Basin (ASBP), the Regional Environmental Program for Sustainable Development in Central Asia, and current initiatives aimed at enhancing IFAS’s institutional structure.
A total of 42 environmental initiatives are in progress within the basin, and there are two new regional grant projects being evaluated for backing from the World Bank. Kazakhstan suggested declaring March 26 as the International Day of the Aral Sea and the Amu Darya and Syr Darya Rivers.
Before the meeting, Bektenov held discussions with delegation leaders. He underscored Kazakhstan’s robust backing for IFAS as a viable tool for tackling environmental and transboundary water issues.