REGIONAL CONSULTATION MEETING ON THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE UNITED NATIONS SPECIAL PROGRAMME FOR THE ARAL SEA BASIN
A regional consultation meeting on a necessity and modalities for the establishment of the United Nations Special Programme for the Aral Sea Basin was held from November 30 to December 1, 2024.
The meeting, organized by the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), reviewed the study prepared by ESCAP consultant based on its Resolution 79/8. Participants discussed conditions and a need for the establishment of the UN Special Programme for the Aral Sea basin countries. The event brought together representatives from the Central Asian countries, EC IFAS, and UN agencies.
Participants acknowledged the existing mechanisms for regional cooperation, such as IFAS and UN initiatives, while emphasizing the need for closer coordination to avoid duplication of efforts. Different approaches to establishing the UN Special Programme were explored, including leveraging existing platforms and developing new tools to enhance regional collaboration. It was agreed to continue the dialogue on modalities of the Programme.
Based on recommendations from the meeting, the draft document will be finalized and submitted to ESCAP so that it could present it at ESCAP’s next meeting in April 2025.
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