The round table discussions on the impact of the Aral Sea crisis and environmental degradation on the healthcare and nutrition of mothers and children took place in Ashgabat, according to a press release issued by Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan on Wednesday.
The event was jointly organized by the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) and the Ministry of Health and Medical Industry of Turkmenistan.
The overall goal of the round table was to sum up the results of the assessment of the health and nutrition status of mothers and children in areas affected by the Aral Sea crisis and environmental degradation. The assessment was carried out this year by UNICEF together with the Ministry of Health and Medical Industry of Turkmenistan.
Welcoming the participants of the event, the UNICEF representative in Turkmenistan Ms. Christine Weigand emphasized the importance of this topic in the context of international efforts to save the Aral Sea. As she noted, the Aral Sea crisis, the root cause of which was a change in the hydrological regime of the rivers of the basin, at the turn of the XX-XXI centuries has become critical and is now at the center of attention of the world community.
The consequences of the environmental problem caused by the irrational use of the region’s water resources had a negative impact on its flora and fauna, and affected the living conditions of many people living in the Aral Sea basin. In this regard, it was noted that today the most important task is to reduce the negative impact of the Aral Sea on the environment and human health.
The round table was attended by heads and representatives of several ministries and departments of Turkmenistan, as well as representatives of public organizations and the National Red Crescent Society of Turkmenistan.
International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea (IFAS) was established in 1992 on the initiative of the Heads of the Central Asian States for the purpose of improving the social and economic, ecological situation in the basin of the Aral Sea.
