Aral Sea region receives $80 million boost to address climate change effects

In Karakalpakstan, a Support Fund for Neighborhoods has been established, with 500 million UZS allocated to each of the 452 neighborhoods. This was announced at a meeting led by the president on the social and economic development of Karakalpakstan.

It was also noted that, with $274 million attracted from the Asian Development Bank, a 240-kilometer highway on the "Bukhara-Nukus-Beyneu" route will be launched in the coming days.

A significant program aimed at improving the climate conditions in the Aral Sea region has also been initiated. Over the past seven years, forests have been established on 1.9 million hectares of the dried-up seabed of the Aral Sea. As a result, the region's forest coverage has increased from 19% to 35%.

To improve the ecosystem and develop new varieties and seeds in the saline, waterless environment, an International Innovation Center has been established in the Aral Sea region.

According to the recently approved climate adaptation program for agriculture, $80 million will be allocated to mitigate the impact of climate change in the Aral Sea region.