Photo: Presidential Press Service
President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev participated in the regular meeting of the Council of Heads of State-Founders of the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea (IFAS) on April 22.
The event was chaired by the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. It was also attended by President of Kyrgyzstan Sadyr Japarov, President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon, President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov, and the Chairman of the IFAS Executive Committee, Askhat Orazbay.
The meeting reviewed the results of Kazakhstan's chairmanship for the 2023–2026 period and featured an extensive exchange of views on the environmental situation in the Aral Sea basin, water resource management, and improving the socio-economic status of the region.
In his speech, the Uzbek leader emphasized that the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea is a unique cooperation platform for the region. He noted that the fund's importance is steadily increasing amidst climate change, rising water demand, and resource scarcity.
According to forecasts, water shortages in the Aral basin could reach 20 billion cubic meters per year by 2040. This poses serious risks to drinking water supplies, agriculture, energy, and the environment.
“According to expert estimates, by 2040, the water resource deficit in the Aral Sea basin could nearly double—reaching 20 billion cubic meters per year. This creates additional risks for drinking water supply, the environment, the agrarian sector, energy, and social stability,” Shavkat Mirziyoyev stated.
The President also drew attention to the problem of inefficient water use in the region. Currently, an average of 3 cubic meters of water is consumed to create $1 of value in agriculture, which is significantly higher than global benchmarks.
At the same time, it was noted that Uzbekistan is rapidly implementing water-saving technologies. Modern systems have been introduced on 60% of irrigated lands, and 40% of irrigation networks have been concreted. Through these measures, 10 billion cubic meters of water are being saved annually.
Shavkat Mirziyoyev put forward several proposals to further strengthen the fund's activities, improve its legal and organizational framework, and expand cooperation. In particular, the importance of strengthening IFAS's integration with other regional structures was emphasized.
“This will allow for the direction of targeted investments to implement vital environmental and socio-economic projects across all our states,” said Shavkat Mirziyoyev.
Furthermore, a proposal was made to launch the "Water of the Future" regional program to increase the culture of water resource use and train the population and farmers in modern technologies.
“It is clear that if society's attitude toward water does not change, no engineering solutions will yield the expected results. Through a system of continuous education—from the preschool level to the training of specialists—we must strive to make the rational use of water a daily habit for every person and part of our common cultural code,” the head of state said.
The issue of involving Afghanistan in regional environmental cooperation was also raised. It was noted that this could ensure the fair distribution of water resources and overall environmental stability.
At the conclusion of the meeting, several important decisions were adopted, including the Astana Declaration. Additionally, resolutions were signed to declare March 26 as the International Day of the Aral Sea, Amu Darya, and Syr Darya, and to elect Shavkat Mirziyoyev as the Chairman of IFAS for the 2027–2029 period.
