May 30 – June 3, 2022, Berlin, Dresden, Leipzig | The ECO-ARAL project organised a trip to exchange on experience and practical study of the German experience in the field of hydrogeology, groundwater management and use with representatives of the State Committee of the Republic of Uzbekistan on Geology and Mineral Resources, the Geology Committee of the Republic of Kazakhstan and their relevant departments.
During the trip the participants met with a number of organisations, including:

• German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection (BMUV), where they were familiarised with water management, hydrogeology and water supply in Germany, as well as with legislative principles at both federal and local levels;
• Federal Institute for Geosciences and Natural Resources (BGR);
• Freiberg Water Association;
• Saxon State Office for Environment, Agriculture and Geology (LFULG);
• Saxony-Anhalt State Office for the Release of Contaminated Sites (LAF);
• Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research (UFZ);
• Leibniz Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries (IGB).

During the visit, the participants were familiarised with the activities and scientific research of these organisations (BGR, UFZ, IGB), ongoing projects on chemical treatment of historical pollution sites of mining and industrial enterprises (LAF), provision of population with potable water (LFULG) and other issues in the field of hydrogeology and water resources.
At the end of the trip, the participants also exchanged views and experiences of their countries with German counterparts, as well as established business contacts and expressed interest in further cooperation. In addition, the trip contributed to strengthening bilateral cooperation between the sectoral committees and departments of Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan in the field of hydrogeology.