Aral Culture Summit is a new narrative for building a better future, Saida Mirziyoyeva
Experts say it is impossible to restore the Aral Sea to its former glory. It is crucial today to reduce the devastating impact of the severe ecological crisis. Central Asian nations are also making their contributions to recovering the Aral Sea and Aral Sea region. Last year at the UN Saida Mirziyoyeva announced one of Uzbekistan’s initiatives, Kazinform News Agency reports.
The World Meteorological Organization called the Aral Sea shrinking the worst human-made environmental crisis of the 20th century. The sea withdrawal had comprehensive negative effect on flora, fauna, landscape and climate of the Aral Sea region.
The UN Water Conference in New York convened in March 2023 to address the urgent water crisis. It was the first UN conference on water in 46 years.
The Aral Sea crisis stands as a harsh reminder of human activities on the environment, Saida Mirziyoyeva said addressing the gathering. Thanks to efforts of caring people the sea once again becomes the symbol of hope and renovation.
She stressed the UN Multi-Partner Human Security Trust Fund for the Aral Sea Region founded under the aegis of the United Nations in 2018 allocated over 14 million US dollars for the development of projects to revive the region.
Saida Mirziyoyeva said Uzbekistan sets an ambitious task to turn the dried bottom of the Aral Sea into a garden. Trees were already planted on almost 1.5 million hectares of the drained seabed.
She also stressed the importance of culture and creativity in tackling the ecological catastrophe of the Aral Sea.
Saida Mirziyoyeva presented at the UN the project of the Culture and Art Development Fund of Uzbekistan, the Aral Culture Summit, for the development of large educational and cultural programs. To support the locals, we have invested not only in experts in various sectors but also creativity of artists and designers. Joint efforts helped attract attention, create new stories, and cover hidden problems. We are creating a new narrative for building a better future, the Aral Culture Summit, Said Mirziyoyeva said.
She added the Summit is aimed at preserving bio-cultural, cultural, and language diversity in the Aral Sea region.
In conclusion, she said art, design, and culture may play a decisive role in raising public awareness, encouraging ties, building the future, and finally creating positive changes.
That’s why we set up a goal to establish scholarships and grants, interdisciplinary educational programs, and support works of art devoted to the Aral Sea, Saida Mirziyoyeva resumed.
