The IFAS was created in 1993 by the Central Asian states’ leaders for financing of joint practical actions and prospective programs on saving the Aral Sea and ecological improvement of the Aral Sea basin. The founders of the Fund are Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. Kazakhstan will chair the IFAS next three years in line with the organization’s charter.

Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbaev said that the fund became effective tool for coordination efforts of the Central Asian states on overcoming consequences of Aral crisis, which was named as catastrophe of the 20th century.

During its operation, the fund adopted two programmes of assisting Aral Sea Basin regions. The progammes envisaged improvement of water management infrastructure and improvement of drinking water quality of Aral Sea Basin.

The 63rd session of the UN General Assembly adopted resolution to provide observer status to the IFAS.

During the summit, the presidents entrusted Executive Committee of the IFAS to develop new programme on assisting population of Aral Sea Basin and undertake all necessary measures to boost cooperation with international organization and attraction of donors to the activities of the Fund.

Kazakh leader informed his counterparts that Kazakhstan completed first phase of the project “Regulation of river-bed of Syrdarya and northern part of Aral sea”, which envisages strengthening of river capacity and increase water flow to Northern Aral.

Nazarbaev said that Kazakhstan plans to start the second phase of the project and improve ecologic situation in the region.

Participants exchanged opinion on joint management and use of water-energy resources of Syrdarya and Amudarya rivers.

Leaders of the Central Asian states adopted a joint statement on the results of the summit.