Prof. Dr Adam Saud
The Aral Sea had been one of the icons of world’s largest inland water reservoirs. The Sea is fed by Amu Darya and Syr Darya. After occupation of modern-day Central Asia, Soviet Union diverted the waters of both rivers for cotton cultivation. That diversion brought disaster to the Aral Sea, once fourth largest inland water body in the world. The Aral Sea disaster stands as one of the gravest man-made ecological crises of the modern era, it has lost nearly 90 percent of its volume, leaving behind a toxic desert, collapsing ecosystems, and devastated livelihoods.
Uzbekistan, being the most effected due to Aral Sea disaster, has been at the forefront to reserve the Aral Sea. Such efforts got further strength after President Shavkat Mirziyoyev came to power. Over the years, his administration has transformed it from a regional catastrophe to a platform for global cooperation, innovation, and sustainable development.
In the post Covid era, Tashkent has proactively projected Aral Sea issue as a global environmental concern. The great success in this regard was adoption of Uzbekistan’s initiated effort to declare Aral Sea region as a zone of environmental innovations and technologies by the UN General Assembly. This resolution was the recognition of the severity of the catastrophe. It also helped Uzbekistan and other Central Asian states to attract global investment, and other technological solutions to the environmental disaster caused by the Aral Sea depletion.
The Resolution was supported by 60 other member states which reflects the proactive approach of President Mirziyoyev. It also demonstrates that despite being the largest doule landlocked country in the world, Uzbekistan’s leadership contributes in shaping the global environmental governance.
Tashkent’s approach emphasis on innovation rather than mere restoration that signals realism, acknowledging that full recovery of the Aral Sea may not be feasible, but mitigation and adaptation certainly are. The establishment of the “Multi-Partner Trust Fund for Human Security for the Aral Sea Region under UN” auspices exemplifies this approach as another diplomatic success of Uzbekistan at global stage. Focusing on the healthcare, environment resilience, and livelihood in the affected regions.
Under the Green Aral Sea project, Tashkent has actively been planting climate-resilient saxaul trees in the region. The afforestation of the dried seabed of Aral Sea has been a success story. Uzbekistan has been working I close collaboration with EU and other international initiatives like UNDP, USAID, and many more. This forestation initiative has not only reduced the dust storms, but also helped in rehabilitation of the communities and restoration of biodiversity in the Aral Sea region. In the Karakalpakstan region, with hep of international agencies, Uzbekistan is promoting drought-resistant agriculture and forestation alongwith improving irrigation efficiency, and strengthening local economies.
Besides international collaboration, President Mirziyoyev has actively been encouraging the regional states, particularly Kazakhstan for joint efforts to mitigate this disaster. During different bilateral as well a regional talks, resident Mirziyoyev has always been emphasizing on the importance of environmental degradation and its disastrous impacts on the region. Regional Ecological Summit being held in Astana from 22-24 Aril 2026 reflects the regional efforts of Central Asian leadership. Resident Mirziyoyev’s proactive approach during this summit reinforces his commitment to improve the environmental conditions in the region in general and the Aral Sea region in particular.
The Aral Cultural Summit in April 2025 was an initiative of President Mirziyoyev. It brought together policymakers, scientists, artists, and civil society actors from the globe to explore innovative solutions and raise awareness. This also reflects Tashkent approach of cultural diplomacy. Although such efforts have brought many positive developments, a lot is still needed to be done. Nevertheless, Uzbekistan has very successfully attracted the global attention to this acute environmental catastrophe by inviting international investment and expertise. Its approach aligns with contemporary trends in global environmental governance, where cooperation, innovation, and multi-stakeholder engagement are key.
In order to save the transformation of Aral Sea into Aralkum, aggressive responses are needed from individual states, regional institutions, and global community. Uzbekistan’s pragmatic approach toward Aral Sea crises blended with cultural diplomacy, socio-economic reform, and climate resilient agriculture along with afforestation of Aral Sea dried bed, reflects President Mirziyoyevs’ commitment in this regard.
Full restoration of the Aral Sea seems impossible, Tashkent’s efforts are a hope and massage to international community that collective efforts always bring positive results. His efforts offer a model for addressing complex ecological challenges through cooperation and innovation. These efforts by the President Mirziyoyev not only reflects mitigating the environmental disaster rooted in the past, but shows commitment towards the sustainable solutions to climate related challenges across the whole world.
The author is a Professor of International Relations at Bahria University, Islamabad.
