POLICY ADVICE
All our efforts, pilots and implemented measures translate in policy advice to our political partners in Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan.
For example, in the forestry sector, our project has developed a series of maps (soil, vegetation, hydrogeology and climate) of the dried Aral seabed on the Kazakh side. Based on the maps we designed recommendations on the potential for afforestation measures. Decision makers can use the maps and recommendations to strategically plan afforestation and other measures (e.g., ecotourism routes, pasture restoration), which, in turn, may assist in combating desertification, land degradation, preserve biodiversity, and improve the livelihood of the people that live in these areas.
Our project has also supported a delegation visit of the Forestry Committee of the Republic of Uzbekistan to the Kazakhstan part of the dried Aral Seabed. We organized a bilateral meeting to exchange experiences and determine the direction of further cooperation and collaboration between the two countries. During the visit the intergovernmental Roadmap on “Joint forestry cooperation activities: 2021-2022” was signed between the State Committee of the Republic of Uzbekistan on Forestry and the Ministry of Ecology, Geology and Natural Resources of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
Together with other two GIZ projects, Integrative Land Use in Central Asia and Green Central Asia, our project is providing exchange visits and policy dialogues between staff of protected areas from Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and Turkmenistan. All three countries share protected areas among their borders. The exchange and dialogue strengthen the collaboration across borders to protect wildlife and biodiversity.
More about our Policy Advice:
STEERING COMMITTEE MEETING OF ECO ARAL IN TASHKENT 2022-2023
Since its launch in 2020, every year the regional project of GIZ ECO ARAL holds a Steering Committee Meeting (SCM) to discuss the implemented activities of the past year and to discuss the plans for the upcoming year. The Steering Committee was established in January 2021 during the kick off meeting of the project with the aim of coordinating the activities with the political partners. On March 10, 2023, ECO ARAL held the SCM at Hampton by Hilton Hotel in Tashkent with 43 participants consisting of the political partners – Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Uzbekistan – and
PILOTING STRATEGIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT (SEA) IN KAZAKHSTAN
Within ECO ARAL project, a pilot Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) of the development plans of Kyzylorda and Mangistau provinces was launched in 2022 to promote the sustainable development of the Aral Sea region. SEA is used to assess the environmental impact of activities to be implemented as part of the development strategies for sectors, territories and provinces. The pilot SEA will provide additional expert support to promote the sustainable use of natural resources in the region, as well as strengthen synergies between planning in different sectors of the economy. To date, the SEA experts have prepared the final reports of
PILOTING STRATEGIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT IN KAZAKHSTAN
ECO-ARAL project continues works on piloting the Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) in Kyzylorda and Mangistau provinces. From 7th to 9th of September the project together with the experts from INTEGRATION Environment & Energy, Integra Consulting, Ecoline International and Green Bridge consulting companies held workshops-meetings with representatives of the departments of the two province Administration (Akimats), during which the principles and benefits of the SEA were presented and the matrix of environmental impacts of the province development plans were discussed. According to the results of the work, the experts will present a report on SEA and recommendations for improving the Plans.
WORKSHOP ON STRATEGIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT IN KAZAKHSTAN
July 7, 2022, Kazakhstan | As part of the piloting of the Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) in Kyzylorda and Mangystau provinces, the ECO-ARAL project in cooperation with Ecoline International Ltd and Integra Consulting s.r.o. held the first online workshop on SEA in Kazakhstan. The workshop was organised to introduce the SEA basic principles and procedures and to discuss the pilot project with representatives of province Akimats and their structural subdivisions working in the field of economic planning, environmental protection, agriculture, forestry and fisheries. Consultants of Ecoline International Ltd. and Integra Consulting s.r.o. presented the main elements, benefits and advantages of
NATIONAL DIALOGUE ON STRATEGIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT IN KAZAKHSTAN
April 25-28, 2022, Nur-Sultan, Kyzylorda, Aktau | The new Environmental Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan effectively reflects the mechanisms and regulatory tools based on the experience of the OECD countries. One of such mechanisms implemented in the Environmental Code of the RK is a strategic environmental assessment (SEA). ECO-ARAL plans to pilot SEA of Kyzylorda and Mangistau provinces in order to promote sustainable development of the Aral Sea region. In cooperation with the Association of Environmental Organizations of Kazakhstan and International Financial Center “Astana”, project held consultations with representatives of the Ministry of Ecology, Geology and Natural Resources of
IMPROVING WATER USE EFFICIENCY IN THE ARAL SEA REGION
ECO-ARAL project jointly with the International Water Management Institute (IWMI) are conducting a study on improving water use efficiency in the Aral Sea region. On March 14-17, IWMI experts held a series of meetings in online and offline formats with representatives of the Ministry of Agriculture of Kazakhstan, EcoEnergy LLP, GREENDEM LLP, ProLine LLP, as well as with financial institutions Agrarian Credit Corporation and Fund for Financial Support of Agriculture. During the meetings the experts discussed issues related to water management in irrigated agriculture, land degradation, salinization and waterlogging, water productivity and others. Also, measures of state support to crop
NATIONAL CONSULTATIONS ON ECOTOURISM DEVELOPMENT, PROTECTED AREAS MANAGEMENT AND WILDLIFE PROTECTION IN MANGYSTAU PROVINCE
ECO-ARAL is working to support the development of ecotourism, management of protected areas and wildlife protection in the Aral Sea region.During March 1-2, 2022, project experts held meetings with representatives of the Department of Tourism, the Department of Natural Resources and Regulation of Natural Resources of Mangistau province Administration, the Chamber of Entrepreneurs of Mangistau province, Mangistau Territorial Inspection of Forestry and Wildlife, Ustyurt State Reserve and the Regional Environmental Council “ECOJER”.During the meetings the experts discussed the issues of transboundary cooperation in the field of ecological tourism, management of protected areas and wildlife protection between the stakeholders of the
ARAL SEA REFORESTATION WORKS 2021-2022
On February 11, a workshop on “Reforestation works on the dried bottom of the Aral Sea. Results and perspectives 2021 – 2022” was held in Burabay settlement.Forestry experts and scientists from Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, as well as representatives from international organizations took part in the workshop to get familiar with the results of reforestation activities (Saxaul planting – seeding) on the dried seabed of the Aral Sea (DSAS) in 2021, as well as with the plans for 2022. The participants discussed the achievements and challenges related to planting, possibilities of aerial seeding in the conditions of DSAS, scientific support to
IWMI EXPERT MISSION ON WATER USE EFFICIENCY IN THE ARAL SEA REGION
ECO-ARAL project with the support of the International Water Management Institute (IWMI) is carrying out a study on improving water use efficiency in the Aral Sea region.During November 21-24, 2021, IWMI experts visited Kazakhstan to further study the current situation of water resources management and use. Meetings were held with representatives of the Mangistau province administration (oblast Akimat), Zhaik-Caspian Basin Inspection of the Committee for Water Resources, Institute of Geography and Water Safety, Institute of Hydrogeology and Geo-Ecology named after U.M. Akhmedsafin, and the Institute of Water Resources Management. The experts were acquainted with the representatives of specialized organizations on
DEMAND AND POTENTIAL ANALYSIS OF ECOLOGICALLY ORIENTED BUSINESS MODELS IN THE SECTORS OF ECONOMY OF KAZAKHSTAN
ECO-ARAL project is conducting a study to analyze the potential of ecologically oriented business models across sectors for Kyzylorda and Mangystau provinces. A study will give an overview over the various economic sectors and existing business models as well as their current use of natural resources and ecological soundness.On October 14-15, this year, representatives of the project and the international company UNIQUE Forestry and Land Use visited Mangistau province to hold meetings with representatives of local executive authorities, financial institutions and businesses, to discuss innovative methods in crop and livestock production, which have high growth potential in the province and
VISIT OF UZBEKISTANI DELEGATION TO KAZAKHSTAN WITHIN COOPERATION ON ARAL SEA AFFORESTATION
The visit of Uzbekistani delegation to the Republic of Kazakhstan headed by Mr. Nizamiiddin Bakirov, the Chairman of the State Committee on Forestry of Uzbekistan, was organized by the Committee on Forestry and Wildlife of the Ministry of Ecology, Geology and Natural Resources of the Republic of Kazakhstan in collaboration with ECO-ARAL project during September 9 – 13, 2021.The purpose of the visit was to expand bilateral cooperation on forestry and landscaping of the dried bottom of the Aral Sea, as well as to sign a roadmap of joint activities. The delegation consisted of representatives from the State Forestry Committee
A STUDY ON IMPROVING WATER USE EFFICIENCY IN THE ARAL SEA REGION
August 31 – September 4, 2021, Kazakhstan. ECO-ARAL project with the support of International Water Management Institute (IWMI) is conducting a study on improving water use efficiency in the Aral Sea region. IWMI experts and Kairat Yegezhanov, National Advisor in Kazakhstan, visited project areas – Kyzylorda and Mangistau provinces – to study current situation on management and use of water resources. During the visit, experts met with local executive bodies, representatives of RSE Kazvodkhoz and Basin Inspection of the Committee for Water Resources, Kyzylorda University named after Korkyt-Ata, and the Research Institute of Rice Production named after I. Zhakhayev. The
VISIT OF THE DELEGATION LED BY THE VICE-MINISTER OF ECOLOGY, GEOLOGY AND NATURAL RESOURCES OF THE REPUBLIC OF KAZAKHSTAN
The regional project “Ecologically Oriented Regional Development in the Aral Sea Region” (ECO-ARAL) in close partnership with the State Committee for Forestry of Uzbekistan supported a visit of the delegation led by Ms. Shalabekova Aliya Lazarevna, Vice-minister of Ecology, Geology and Natural Resources of the Republic of Kazakhstan, to Uzbekistan between June 09-12, 2021.On the first day of the visit, the delegation was welcomed by Mr. Bakirov Nizamiddin Jalilovich, the Chairman of the State Committee for Forestry, and the representatives of Minister of Emergency Situations and the State Committee for Ecology and Environment of Uzbekistan. Following that, the guests visited