International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea (IFAS)
Establishment of the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea
Following the 1960s, the Central Asian region witnessed intensive expansion of irrigated agriculture and water resource management, which resulted in the catastrophic desiccation of the Aral Sea. In response to this ecological tragedy and the need for joint regional action to improve the situation in the Aral Sea Basin, the Heads of State of the Central Asian countries established the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea (IFAS) in 1993. The Fund serves as a coordination mechanism for efforts to rehabilitate the region’s environment.
The founding members of IFAS are the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, the Republic of Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and the Republic of Uzbekistan.
The establishment of IFAS was accompanied by the creation of various intergovernmental structures and the adoption of regulatory instruments aimed at facilitating coordinated actions for the preservation of the Aral Sea.
The main objective of IFAS is to finance and support joint practical actions and prospective programmes and projects aimed at the restoration of the Aral Sea, the environmental improvement of the Aral Sea Basin, and sustainable development, taking into account the interests of all States in the region.
Key Functions of IFAS
- To finance and support joint intergovernmental environmental and scientific-practical programmes and projects aimed at saving the Aral Sea, improving the ecological situation in areas affected by the Aral Sea crisis, and addressing broader socio-environmental challenges in the region;
- To support joint fundamental and applied research and scientific-technical development focused on restoring environmental balance, promoting the rational use of natural resources, and protecting the environment;
- To establish and maintain an interstate environmental monitoring system, including a shared database and other mechanisms to track environmental conditions in the Aral Sea Basin;
- To mobilize resources for joint activities to protect air, water, land resources, and biodiversity;
- To finance joint scientific and technical projects related to the management of transboundary and internal waters and to participate in the implementation of international programmes and projects aimed at saving the Aral Sea and restoring its ecosystem.
| IFAS Statute (1999) – [in Russian] |
Chairmanship of IFAS
The Chairmanship of the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea is rotated every three years among the Central Asian States. This practice ensures equitable responsibility-sharing and participation of all member countries in addressing the environmental challenges of the Aral Sea Basin.
|
Period |
Chairing State |
Chairmanship Report |
|---|---|---|
| 1993–1996 | Republic of Kazakhstan | |
| 1997–1999 | Republic of Uzbekistan | |
| 1999–2001 | Turkmenistan | |
| 2002–2008 | Republic of Tajikistan | Chairmanship report available |
| 2009–2012 | Republic of Kazakhstan | Chairmanship report available |
| 2013–2016 | Republic of Uzbekistan | Chairmanship report available |
| 2017–2019 | Turkmenistan | Chairmanship report available |
| 2020–2023 | Republic of Tajikistan | Chairmanship report available |
| 2024–2026 | Republic of Kazakhstan | Chairmanship report available |