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International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea

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The International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea (IFAS) is an intergovernmental organization that was created in accordance with the decision of the Heads of State of Central Asia in 1993.[1] The primary goal of IFAS is to finance and support collaborative initiatives and promising programs aimed at preserving the Aral Sea and restoring its ecosystem, while considering the interests of all countries in the region.

History

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The International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea was established on January 4, 1993, by the leaders of Central Asian countries to develop and finance ecological and scientific-practical projects and programs aimed at restoring areas affected by the Aral Sea disaster and addressing the region's socio-economic issues.[1]

The founding members of the Fund are the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, the Republic of Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and the Republic of Uzbekistan.[1]

Satellite images of the Aral Sea from 1989 to 2008, illustrating the dramatic shrinkage of the sea due to unsustainable irrigation practices and poor water management. The desiccation of the Aral Sea has been called one of the world's worst environmental disasters.

Mission

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IFAS emerged as a necessity to mitigate the catastrophic environmental and human impacts caused by the Aral Sea's desiccation, attributed to unsustainable irrigation practices during the Soviet era. The fund's founding aimed to ensure equitable distribution of water resources among the Aral Sea Basin countries while addressing ecological rehabilitation and economic challenges. Early efforts included restoring delta ecosystems, controlling desertification from the exposed seabed, and reducing salt and dust storms that had devastating regional and global impacts.[2]

IFAS also serves as a hub for collaboration, facilitating research, securing international funding, and establishing partnerships with global organizations to support sustainable development goals.[3] In addition, IFAS works on capacity-building programs for regional stakeholders, strengthening water management capabilities through training and research. By integrating modern technologies and fostering knowledge exchange, IFAS continues to support the sustainable development of the Aral Sea region.[4]

Initiatives

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The International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea has undertaken a range of initiatives to address the complex environmental, social, and economic challenges arising from the Aral Sea crisis. Central to these efforts are the Aral Sea Basin Programs (ASBP), which adopt a comprehensive approach to improving water resource management, fostering sustainable agricultural practices, and restoring degraded ecosystems. These programs emphasize reducing water losses, advancing water-saving technologies, and strengthening institutional frameworks for governance.[5]

The ASBP prioritize integrated water resource management (IWRM), enabling a balanced and sustainable approach to water usage. Additional efforts focus on reforestation projects, such as planting saxaul trees, wetland restoration, and revitalizing local economies, particularly those impacted by the decline in fisheries and agriculture. Through these measures, ASBP aims to mitigate ecological damage while improving livelihoods in affected communities.[2]

Structure

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The Council of Heads of State of the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea is the highest governing body of IFAS.[6]

This Council formulates and recommends policies to align the region's productive capacities with its natural resource potential. It also endorses intergovernmental legal and regulatory acts, establishes common principles for the management, use, and protection of water resources across the region, and regulates intergovernmental relations related to water management and environmental protection activities.[7]

Meetings of the Council of Heads of State (IFAS Summits) are held during the chairmanship of each founding state of the Fund, where key decisions are made on vital regional issues concerning water resources, environmental protection, and the socio-economic situation in the Aral Sea basin.[7]

Bibliography

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1. "Agency of IFAS for implementation of the Aral Sea basin". Agency of IFAS. www.aral.uz

2. Sokolov, V. (2018). Handbook on Water Resources Management in Uzbekistan, 102–146

3. Sehring, Jennifer, & Saghit Ibatullin. (2020). River Basin Organization in Water Diplomacy: Prolonging or resolving water conflicts in Central Asia? Routledge (1) pg. 222-241. https://www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/edit/10.4324/9780429266270-12/prolonging-resolving-water-conflicts-central-asia-jenniver-sehring-saghit-ibatullin

4. Levintanus, A. (1992). Saving the Aral sea. International Journal of Water Resources Development, 8(1), 60–64. https://doi.org/10.1080/07900629208722534

References

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  1. ^ a b c "About IFAS". Agency of IFAS.
  2. ^ a b https://aral.uz/doc/Handbook_WRM_Sokolov_ENG.pdf
  3. ^ "Water Diplomacy and Conflict Transformation in the Nile River Basin: The Key Role of the Nile Basin Initiative Over the Past 20 Years". Ebrary. Retrieved 2024-11-21.
  4. ^ "River Basin Organizations in Water Diplomacy". Routledge & CRC Press. Retrieved 2024-11-21.
  5. ^ "Aral Sea Basin Programs". www.icwc-aral.uz. Retrieved 2024-11-21.
  6. ^ "Structure of the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea".
  7. ^ a b "International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea". www.icwc-aral.uz. Retrieved 2024-11-21.
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