UN to implement a project on efficient use of lakes and wetlands in Aral Sea region

The draft resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers “On measures to implement the project on the efficient use of lakes and wetlands in the Aral Sea region with the participation of the UN Development Program and the Global Environment Facility” was announced.

The following:

• the decision to allocate a grant of $3,552,968 for a period of 5 years by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) to finance the project “Preservation and management of lakes, wetlands and coastal areas as a basis for sustainable livelihoods in the degraded lands of the Aral Sea Basin” was approved by the GEF management on October 1, 2021;
• the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) Country Office in Uzbekistan has approved a $270,000 grant for the project, and UNDP will act as a partner of the responsible executive body during the project implementation period;
• letter of agreement between the Environment Committee and the UNDP Country Office in Uzbekistan on April 1, 2021, as well as the main project document were signed on December 22, 2021;
• the project will be implemented in Muynak and Amudarya districts of Karakalpakstan, Karakul and Alat districts of Bukhara region;
• the project implementation period is 5 years (2022–2026).

The State Ecological Committee is the executive body responsible for the timely implementation and coordination of the project, as well as the targeted and effective use of UNDP and GEF grant funds.

Implementation of the project is based on a national mechanism in accordance with the agreement signed between the Government of Uzbekistan and UNDP (June 10, 1993).