(MENAFN- Trend News Agency) Uzbekistan delegation took part in the historic UN
conference
On 22-24 March, the Water Conference of this structure is being
held at the UN Headquarters, in New York. All member countries and
specialized agencies of the UN, with the participation of
authoritative speakers, are considering the issues of uniting the
world on the way to the Sustainable Development Goals until 2030
through the conservation of water resources, the importance of the
seas and oceans in the well-being of our planet and global
initiatives in this direction.
The international community gathered for such a conference for
the first time after a 45-year break. After all, the issue is
extremely relevant: by 2050, water shortages may affect 5 billion
people on the planet. Uzbekistan also has something to say and
offer on this issue. In this regard, the country has accumulated
considerable experience. The Aral Sea, once the fourth largest in
the world, is located on the territory of Uzbekistan, and its
current fate is a matter that concerns not only us, but the entire
international community.
Moreover, in recent years, the President of the Republic of
Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev, every time participating in
high-level meetings of the UN, certainly raised the problem of the
Aral Sea and put forward important initiatives.
Among the 198 member countries of the Organization, Uzbekistan
delegation also took part in the conference.
On March 23, at the high-level plenary session of the
conference, a member of Uzbekistan delegation, Saida Mirziyoyeva,
addressed the UN conference and delivered a speech about the
consequences of the Aral tragedy, the large-scale work carried out
by Uzbekistan to mitigate them, as well as the leadership of the
country in uniting international efforts in this direction.
Noting that Muynak was once a prosperous port city with large
production capacities, and after the balance was disturbed, a ship
graveyard appeared on the dead seashores, she recited an extract
from the elegy of a famous Karakalpak poet Ibrahim Yusupov,
describing the tragedy of a sea turning into a desert in a blink of
an eye.
“The crisis of the Aral Sea is a devastating reminder of the
consequences of human environmental neglect. However, thanks to the
efforts of caring people, it is now becoming a symbol of hope and
renewal”, Saida Mirziyoyeva said.
It was emphasized that the initiatives put forward by President
Shavkat Mirziyoyev received wide support at the international
level, and in 2021 a UN Resolution was adopted declaring the Aral
Sea region a zone of environmental innovations and technologies,
and a little earlier, in 2018, the UN Multi-Partner Human Security
Trust Fund for the Aral Sea region was established.
Speaking about the measures implemented by the state, the
speaker noted that more than $14 million were allocated for the
implementation of projects aimed at reviving the region.
The resilience, diligence and creativity of Karakalpakstan
people, who are directly experiencing the consequences of the
tragedy, were noted. Attention was drawn to the fact that in the
difficult conditions of the region, women need special care and
support, it is necessary to expand opportunities for them.
Following her speech, Saida Mirziyoyeva called on the
international community to continue supporting Uzbekistan's efforts
to mitigate the consequences of the Aral Sea tragedy, which is
inextricably linked to global water problems.
On March 22, within the framework of the UN Water Conference,
the presentation of the Aral Culture Summit project, initiated by
the Art and Culture Development Foundation under the Cabinet of
Ministers of Uzbekistan, took place. This is a new institution that
will bring together the local and international community, leading
scientists, architects, artists and designers.
As part of the Aral Culture Summit, educational and exchange
programs, scholarships and internships will be created that will
motivate the younger generation to develop skills that contribute
to the improvement of the situation in the region.
As part of the summit, a biodesign farm laboratory will be
created. Various technologies will be studied and developed to
supply the region with water, create new types of crops, and reduce
soil salinity in the region.
The Summit will bring creative people together with local
farmers to build sustainable relations in biodesign, grow new
plants and thereby develop a strategic plan for the next 10 years.
This will set the stage for huge changes in the local
community.
The essence and significance of the upcoming summit were
discussed in detail during the interactive dialogues held on the
sidelines of the conference“Water for Cooperation: Transboundary
and International Water Cooperation, Cross-Sectoral Cooperation,
including Scientific Cooperation, and Water Across the 2030 Agenda”
and a panel discussion“From Art to Action: Transforming Desert to
Forest for the Revival of the Aral Sea Region” organized by the
Foundation with the participation of international experts.
A meeting was held with our compatriots in the United States.
Mayor of New York City Eric Adams also attended the event.
Saida Mirziyoyeva congratulated the audience on the Navruz
holiday and spoke about the grandiose reforms being carried out in
Uzbekistan.
During the warm conversation, it was noted that compatriots do
not break ties with their historical homeland, they are keenly
interested in the changes taking place in the country, and through
the implementation of various projects they are trying to
strengthen cultural, political and economic ties between the United
States and Uzbekistan.