Aral Sea crisis threatens 1 million lives, Uzbekistan warns at UN climate forum
Uzbek minister highlights rising drought, shrinking water bodies, and urgent need for climate adaptation
ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan (MNTV) — The continued collapse of the Aral Sea is endangering the health and livelihoods of nearly 1 million people, Uzbekistan’s Ecology Minister Aziz Abdukhakimov warned during a United Nations conference on environmental sustainability.
Speaking to global delegates in Turkmenistan, Abdukhakimov painted a stark picture of climate change’s growing impact on Uzbekistan—including rising temperatures, prolonged droughts, and ecological devastation.
As reported by Daryo News, the minister noted that the country is already experiencing significant environmental stress, with major repercussions for the economy and public health.
“Over the past 50 years, Uzbekistan’s average annual temperature has increased by 1.2°C, and dry days have surged by 20%,” he said. “Last year alone, nearly 40% of the country’s land was hit by severe drought, badly affecting agriculture — a sector that contributes 17% of our GDP.”
Central to his remarks was the worsening Aral Sea crisis, described by experts as one of the world’s worst environmental disasters.
Once the fourth-largest inland lake globally, the Aral Sea has lost more than 90% of its volume since the 1960s due to Soviet-era irrigation projects that diverted water from its main feeders, the Amu Darya and Syr Darya rivers.
“The Aral Sea disaster is not just ecological,” Abdukhakimov emphasized. “It’s a humanitarian emergency. Toxic dust storms from the dried seabed are spreading disease and displacing communities.”
Despite the dire situation, he said Uzbekistan is actively pursuing mitigation. Under the country’s Uzbekistan – 2030 agenda, authorities are developing adaptation plans across key sectors, restoring damaged ecosystems, and implementing new climate legislation.
“Our National Climate Change Strategy includes greenhouse gas reduction targets and carbon regulation mechanisms,” he said, adding that international cooperation remains essential.
Environmental experts agree that while full restoration of the Aral Sea is unlikely, coordinated efforts to redirect water flow, protect surviving ecosystems, and support local livelihoods could slow the degradation and help stabilize surrounding communities.
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