Kazakhstan proposes to create a center for afforestation of the dry bottom of the Aral Sea

The Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources of Kazakhstan, Yerlan Nysanbayev, at a meeting of ministers and heads of departments of member countries of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) on May 22, proposed to create an international center for afforestation of the dry bottom of the Aral Sea and semi-desert zones. of environmental protection, reports Kazinform.

"Taking into account the extensive experience of the SCO member countries in creating artificial forests during the afforestation of degraded territories, we made a corresponding proposal today. Our partners from the countries of Central Asia supported us in this initiative. In the future, we will promote our idea," said Nysanbaev.

The meeting was attended by SCO General Secretary Zhang Ming, delegations of Belarus, China, India, Iran, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.

The participants of the meeting discussed the current state and prospects for the development of cooperation in the field of environmental protection within the framework of the SCO, highlighted joint actions in solving environmental problems, climate change, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, effective waste management, developing cooperation in specially protected natural territories and other topics.

The statement of the Council of Heads of State on effective waste management and the Agreement between the governments of the SCO member states on cooperation in the field of environmental protection have been approved and recommended for adoption and signing during the meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the SCO, which will take place in Astana on July 3-4.