Representatives of Italy plans to implement an eco-project in the Turkmen Aral Sea region

The natural and climatic factors of the territory of the Turkmen Aral Sea region of  Dashoguz and Lebap velayats were studied from June 16 to 18 during a joint Turkmen-Italian expedition.

The aim of the work is to form a platform for a new regional environmental project, planned to implement in Turkmenistan jointly with the Ministry of Environmental Protection. The activities will focus on improving the environmental situation using innovations, includes the organization of joint training programs for specialists in the water and land fields, also the creation of a database that provides exchange of information on the state of water reservoirs of Central Asia.

This cooperation is based on the "Central Asia – Italy" format and will be carried out with the support of the State University of Rome, the Italian Agency for the Development of International Cooperation, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Italy and the state–owned company of this country, “Sogesid”, which will provide technical assistance. Italian specialists strive to use advanced technologies for more efficient planning of water use on the Amudarya and Syrdarya rivers, monitoring the condition of oases.

The content of the package of proposals for Turkmenistan was reviewed during consultations which held in October last year and March this year, when the geocluster application areas were identified and scientific and practical events were planned. The joint work was discussed with the participation of specialists from the Ministry of Agriculture of Turkmenistan and the State Committee for Water Management, as well as experts from the Aral Sea Project, implemented in the northern and eastern parts of the country by the Environmental Department in cooperation with UNDP.

The current mission of Italian specialists included meetings with representatives of hyakimliks and water management organizations, visits to the Saparmurat Turkmenbashi and Dyanev etraps, a visit to the pilot sites of the current Aral project, the Botendag Highlands, and sections of the Amudarya State Nature Reserve. As part of the cultural program of the stay in Turkmenistan, the guests visited museums and historical and cultural monuments.