Nukus, Karakalpakstan/Uzbekistan

On 24-25 October, SRSG Natalia Gherman represented the Secretary-General of the United Nations at the High-Level International Conference “Aral Sea Region – Zone of Environmental Innovations and Technologies”, convened by the Government of Uzbekistan under the aegis of the United Nations in Nukus, Uzbekistan. The conference was attended by about 250 participants from 28 countries as well as representatives of international organizations, academia, civil society and the private sector. Within the framework of the conference, plenary sessions and 4 breakout sessions were held, and visits to familiarize guests with tree planting works on the former seabed of the Aral Sea were organized.  Together with the Water Minister of Uzbekistan H.E. Mr. Shavkat Khamraev, SRSG Natalia Gherman co-chaired the session on “Implementation of Water-saving Technologies and Food Security”.

SRSG Natalia Gherman underscored the UN’s constant attention to the environmental problems of the Aral Sea, and the personal engagement of the UN Secretary-General in mobilizing the international community’s potential to help overcome the negative consequences extending far beyond the Aral Sea basin. In her statement, SRSG Natalia Gherman emphasized: “The Regional Center is implementing the call of the UN Secretary-General for the need to pay more attention to prevention. And this fully applies to the environmental and water problems of the region. More than ever, the theme of our conference fits into this format of work, namely, preventing the deterioration of the environment and water use conditions through the introduction of modern technologies, innovative solutions and the promotion of cooperation and partnerships.”

The Communique of the High-level International Conference called for targeted, multifaceted and systemic interactions between the states of the region, UN structures, financial and donor organizations to ensure the development of programmes and projects aimed at addressing the most acute problems in the Aral Sea region through attracting innovation and modern technologies.

On 24 October, SRSG Natalia Gherman addressed the participants, including government officials, partner agencies, representatives of the diplomatic corps, guests of the conference and UN staff members at ceremony dedicated to mark UN Day, organized for the first time ever in Nukus, Karakalpakstan, to reaffirm the commitment and collective resolve of “We The Peoples” to live up to the ideals, principles and valued of the UN Charter and build a better world for all.