Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- On 15 December, the third meeting of the Coordinating Council was held in the format of the videoconference within the framework of the Joint Program of UNDP, UNFPA and FAO "Promoting the creative and innovative potential of youth and vulnerable populations by strengthening their adaptive capacity to solve problems of economic and Food Security in Vulnerable Communities of the Aral Sea Region”, funded by the UN Multi-Partner Trust Fund for Human Security for the Aral Sea Region.

The purpose of this meeting is to support the youth and communities most vulnerable to economic difficulties and social tensions in the Aral Sea region.

At the third meeting of the Coordinating Council, the interim results of the work done were presented, the tasks and goals of this project were discussed.

During the meeting, the meeting participants listened to reports on the work done and the results achieved in 2022, and also discussed the prospects for cooperation next year.

Deputy Minister of Investments and Foreign Trade Badriddin Abidov noted that this program is an important initiative that supports the government's efforts to develop the Aral Sea region. It was emphasized that the work to assist the Aral Sea region should be continued and the experience gained within the framework of the Joint Program should be taken into account in the upcoming projects.

Speaking at the event, UNDP Deputy Resident Representative in Uzbekistan Doina Munteanu expressed her gratitude to the Ministry and other partner organizations for participating in the implementation of many projects and stressed that “the active involvement of Ministries and departments is an important factor for successful achievement of results.”

Deputy Permanent Representative of the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Karakalpakstan to the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Atabek Abdreymov, emphasized that “access to clean drinking water, high-quality electricity supply and an increase in the income of residents of pilot settlements were the top priorities, where UNDP provided practical assistance”, also noted that “ in terms of eliminating the consequences of the drying up of the Aral Sea, afforestation work was carried out directly on the drained bottom of the Aral Sea, manual planting of saxaul seedlings was carried out.