KAZAKHSTAN ELECTED AS CHAIRING COUNTRY OF INTERNATIONAL FUND FOR SAVING THE ARAL SEA

Source: , 4.04.2009

Almaty hosted a ministerial meeting of experts on water management and energy sector of the founders of the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea.

The meeting discussed activities of the fund in connection with election of Kazakhstan as the chairing country of the Fund for next three years (2009-2011) and agenda of the summit of the heads of states of the founders of the fund.

Participants discussed issues on use of water and energy resources in Central Asia. The new executive committee of the fund said it developed an action programme on rendering aid to Aral Sea Basin.

International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea was founded in 1993 by the decision of the leaders of the Central Asia to finance joint projects and perspectives projects on saving Aral Sea, ecologic rehabilitation of the region.

The founders of the fund are Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.

ASTANA TO HOST REGIONAL SEMINAR ON RESPONDING TO EMERGENCIES FOR CA COUNTRIES

Source: KAZINFORM, K. Kulshmanov, 4.04.2009

A regional seminar on responding to emergencies for the Central Asian countries is to take place in Astana on April 6-10, Kazinform reports.

As the Official Spokesperson of the Kazakh MFA informed, the seminar participants will focus on rasing awareness of various coordination mechanisms applied by the UN agencies and the partners while managing emergencies and disasters; improvement of cooperation and mutual understanding among the participants while managing emergencies and disasters.

The event is organized by the Representation of the Office of the United National High Commissioner for Refugees in the Republic of Kazakhstan together with the Ministry of Emergencies and the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection.