LocationsThe first visit of UNDP Resident Representative in Uzbekistan to Aral Sea Region
December 26, 2023
On December 12, the UNDP Resident Representative a.i. in Uzbekistan Ram Iyer and UNDP Deputy Resident Representative in Uzbekistan Mr. Anas Fayyad Qarman visited the Republic of Karakalpakstan to familiarize with the current state of the region, to get acquainted with the development status of the Aral Sea region, as well as the results of UNDP activities in Aral Sea region.
The visit began with meetings with UNDP project staff in Nukus, then meeting in Jokargy Kenes of the Republic of Karakalpakstan, where Mr. Ram Iyer and Mr. Anas Fayyad Qarman discussed the prospects of the cooperation with Chairman of the Jokargy Kenes Amanbai Orinbayev, aimed at finding integrated solutions to meet the needs of the Aral Sea region and climatic, water-saving methods, improving public health, increasing the availability of services.
Ceremony of launching a new UNDP Project funded by Government of Japan the project for supporting self-reliance through climate resilient agriculture in the Aral Sea Region was also held in Nukus. This project is expected to enhance the self-reliance of more than 376,000 people in target communities through the introduction of climate-resilient agriculture and social infrastructure.
"We know that water saving is the key issue for this region and it is also important to increase the stability of the region through the implementation of climate-resistant, water-saving technologies in agriculture sector,"
Mr. Ram Iyer said in her welcoming speech to the participants of the ceremony.
During the visit, Mr. Ram Iyer handed over agricultural machinery to three local cooperatives and thanks to this, new jobs will be created, production capacity in cooperatives will increase, and water will be used wisely, which contributes improvement of food security in rural areas.
The next point of the visit was celebration of International Volunteer Day and awarding ceremony of nominations of Community Health Volunteers within UNDP led projects. More than 240 volunteers participated and 22 active volunteers were awarded with electronic devices for their more productive work. The Ministry of Health of the Republic of Karakalpakstan reported a significant decrease between 2019-2023 years in the prevalence of lung diseases with the support of volunteers.
As part of the visit programme, there was opening ceremony of “Water purification station” in Kegeyli district, which was reconstructed within the Joint programme funded by UN Multi-Partner Human Security Trust Fund for the Aral Sea Region in Uzbekistan. Now, about 1,500 residents of three villages of the district: Shuyt, Aranshi and Tukmangit are provided with clean drinking water.
In addition, the IT Training Center under the Youth Center was solemnly opened in this district. The center increases the opportunities of young people and unemployed residents, teaches them digital skills, ensures their employment and allows them to create new sources of income.
The United Nations Development Program will continue to support the efforts of the Government of Uzbekistan to promote green, equitable and sustainable development for the people of Karakalpakstan.
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