A new joint initiative of the United Nations Development Programme, the Ministry of Economic Development and Poverty Reduction of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the Islamic Development Bank has been launched to strengthen the capacity of rural communities in infrastructure management in the Aral Sea region.

This UNDP project is part of a broader rural sustainable development investment project in Uzbekistan to be financed by the Islamic Development Bank and the OPEC Fund for International Development. $5 million are allocated for the implementation of this project.

The project aims to empower and build the capacity of local communities of architects, engineers, governments and other stakeholders to develop and implement rural development plans using appropriate green as well as digital solutions.

The new project will cover the territories included in the Aral Sea zone, including the Republic of Karakalpakstan, Khorezm, Navoi and Bukhara regions, which are most prone to the environmental crisis.

UzA