According to experts, the Aral tragedy not only worsens the climatic conditions of the region, manifested in the intensification of summer drought and the prolongation of cold winter days, but also causes several economic and social problems.

Appropriate measures are being taken to eliminate them, as well as to ensure environmental safety in the Aral Sea region, protect public health and mitigate the effects of sea drying.

Minister of Natural Resources of Uzbekistan A.Abdukhakimov made a presentation at the opening of the 7th High-Level European Union – Central Asia Conference, in Rome. He focused on the scale of the ecological disaster associated with the drying up of the Aral Sea.

The experts stressed the importance of continuing cooperation within the framework of the Green Central Asia Initiative, sustainable management of natural resources, expansion of cooperation in biodiversity conservation and other promising areas.

A.Abdukhakimov invited the participants to participate in the 21st session of the Committee for the Review of the Implementation of the UN Convention to Combat Desertification, which is scheduled to be held in October this year in Samarkand, and the meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals.

The event included the presentation of the European Union – Central Asia platform on cooperation in environment and water resources of the results of the work of the working group on environmental and climate change.

The 7th High-Level European Union – Central Asia Conference serves as an effective platform for discussing the implementation of new initiatives in environmental protection in Uzbekistan and the Central Asian region.

UzA