Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — The Republic of Karakalpakstan has launched the International Aral Tourism Week. One of the key events was the forum "Goodwill Ambassadors of the Aral Sea Basin," which brought together representatives from the Ministry of Ecology, Environmental Protection, and Climate Change, the Cabinet of Ministers of Karakalpakstan, the General Prosecutor's Office, the Committee for the Development of Tourism, as well as domestic and international experts, scientific and educational institutions, and public organizations.

The opening ceremony began with the announcement of a welcoming message from the Minister of Ecology Aziz Abdukhakimov, read by Zarina Abdullayeva, the head of the ministry's department. The message emphasized: "Thanks to the initiatives of the head of state, significant positive changes have occurred in the Aral Sea region in recent years. Our priority tasks are the restoration of the ecosystem of the dried seabed, the preservation of biodiversity, the introduction of scientific innovations, and the mitigation of the consequences of the large-scale environmental disaster. I am confident that the results of the forum will serve as a catalyst for new scientific and practical initiatives aimed at the sustainable development of the region."

Farhod Ermanov, Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Karakalpakstan, focused on the work to create green cover on the dried seabed: "Since December 2018, work has been underway to plant desert plants on the dried seabed of the Aral Sea. During this period, over 1.8 million hectares of protective forest plantations, mostly consisting of saxaul and other species adapted to harsh climatic conditions, have been created. The total amount of seeds used exceeded 7,000 tons."

Sherzod Tukhtaboyev, Deputy General Prosecutor, spoke about the interaction between oversight bodies and environmental structures: "As a result of enhanced control and joint work with the Ministry of Ecology and other agencies, the number of illegal tree felling cases has been reduced threefold compared to 2022. Additionally, control over the observance of wildlife and plant protection laws has significantly improved. This contributed to a twofold increase in detected cases of poaching."

Sardor Niyazov, Deputy Chairman of the Committee for Tourism, highlighted the important role of youth in achieving ecological sustainability: "Today, we see in the younger generation not only active participants but also future leaders. Their innovative thinking, responsibility, and engagement are vital resources for transformation. The example of 'Goodwill Ambassadors' shows that the Aral tragedy has become a unifying point for efforts and inspiration for action."

During the conference, specialists focused on a number of priority areas: expanding the area of forest plantations in the Aral Sea Basin, combating desertification, reducing soil salinity, improving the living standards of local populations, developing environmental education, training personnel, and countering climate change.

Additionally, the International Tourism Week features a rich cultural and educational program for participants. This includes excursions to the historical and cultural complex Mizdahkan, the I.V. Savitsky State Museum of Arts, and the ethnographic tourist center "Karakalpak Ethno Village." There will also be tree planting as part of the national "Yashil Makon" project, a walking marathon "10,000 Steps," a gastronomic festival "99 Types of Fish Dishes of the Aral," sports competitions, and an open-air concert program.