The Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation of the Republic of Uzbekistan Ibrokhim Abdurakhmonov received a group of scientists from the Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography of the Chinese Academy of Sciences.

The parties discussed the prospects for the implementation in 2023-2025 of the joint project of the International Innovation Center for Aral Sea Basin under the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan with the Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, which provides for the cultivation of halophytes and salt-tolerant plants under solar panels. The green covers that form in the desert area will serve as a barrier to sandstorms.

Mr. Abdurakhmonov expressed readiness to support this and other projects within the framework of cooperation between the Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography and the scientific institutions of Uzbekistan. Views were exchanged on the intensification of bilateral scientific and technical cooperation between the countries during the post-COVID-19 pandemic. A preliminary agreement was reached on the establishment in Syrdarya region of Uzbekistan – China higher education and research institutions in ecology, agriculture, water problems, and irrigation.

Following the meeting, the Chinese side invited Mr. Abdurakhmonov to attend the international forum to be held in August this year in Urumqi.

UzA