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Launch of the human security. Another objective of the Event was to 3.0 Celsius relative to current indicators. Moreover,

UN Multi-Partner Human draw the attention of the broad international community the threatening impact of the Aral Sea catastrophe is
observed all over the world. According to international
and donor countries to the environmental disaster of
the Aral Sea, which has already moved beyond national
experts, poisonous salts from the Aral region are found
Security Trust Fund and regional borders and more than ever requires the on the coasts of Antarctica, in the glaciers of Greenland,
in the forests of Norway and many other parts of the
integration of the efforts of the entire international
globe.
community.
for the Aral Sea Region in Uzbekistan. Negative consequences of the drying up of the Aral Sea The Fund has several important objectives.
Once the world’s fourth largest lake, the drying of the Aral First of all to ensure a coordinated approach to addressing
On 27 November 2018, the UN Headquarters, New York, hosted a High-Level Event on Sea is considered one of the world’s worst environmental problems in the Aral Sea region, related to the livelihood
disasters, causing a cascade of environmental, socio- of the population, including aspects of health, economic
the launch of the UN Multi-Partner Human Security Trust Fund for the Aral Sea Region in
economic, health and humanitarian challenges for the development, environmental situation, social protection,
Uzbekistan. governments and communities in the region. The fivefold etc.
reduction in water flow from the Amu Darya and Syr
The event was co-organized by the Government of the at mitigating the environmental and socioeconomic Darya rivers has decreased the volume of the Aral Sea by Second, to provide integrated development assistance to
Republic of Uzbekistan, Japan and Norway in consequences of the drying up of the Aral Sea.” It further more than 14 times over the past 50 years. Salinity levels the Aral Sea region through the joint efforts of the
cooperation with the UN Human Security Unit, the UN urged the specialized agencies, funds and programmes have increased by 25 times, and now significantly exceed Government of Uzbekistan, the UN Agencies and the
Country Team in Uzbekistan and the UN Multi-Partner of the UN system “to harmonize their programmes those of the world’s oceans. Today, in place of once donor community within the framework of the Trust
Trust Fund Office. and activities in support of the priorities for regional flourishing fishing waters, a sandy salt desert of more Fund’s Strategy.
cooperation, integration and sustainable development in than 5.5 million hectares is a breeding ground for dust
On 22 June 2018, the United Nations General Assembly Central Asia.” and salt storms, carrying more than 75 million tons of Third, to draw the attention of the world community
adopted resolution 72/283 on strengthening regional and dust and poisonous minerals into the atmosphere every to the problem of the Aral Sea region and mobilize
international cooperation to ensure peace, stability and The High-Level Event was dedicated to the official year across thousands of kilometers. technical and financial resources for the development of
sustainable development in the Central Asian region. launch of the UN Multi-Partner Human Security Trust the region.
Fund for the Aral Sea Region (MPHSTF) in Uzbekistan The Aral Sea catastrophe has exacerbated climatic
The resolution affirmed the importance of closer and under the auspices of the UN. The event presented the conditions in the region, increasing dryness and heat And the fourth, to attract new knowledge, innovative
more coordinated cooperation between the States of Fund’s programme strategy, which was based on the in summer and extending periods of cold in the winter. technologies and approaches to the Aral Sea region to
Central Asia and called upon Member States inter alia analysis of needs of the population affected by the Aral According to forecasts of experts, by 2035-2050 the air ensure sustainable development of the region, which
“to support the efforts of the Central Asian States aimed Sea crisis through the application of the concept of temperature in the region can increase by another 1.5- could become a kind of “hub” of environmental

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