Unesco Water
IHP PUBLICATIONS

Title
Water-related Vision for the Aral Sea Basin
Series
IHP Non Serial Publications in Hydrology
Serial Number
 
Project
 
Authors
 
Publication Date
2000
Volume
 
Abstract
In the early 1990s, UNESCO was invited to assist in and provide expertise for solving problems related to the shrinking of the Aral Sea, by the Governments of the Central Asian Republics. At that time, the Aral Sea was presented to the world as an ecological and social disaster of global importance, caused by irresponsible human intervention in a fragile natural environment. It was also a time when the Central Asian States had only recently become independent and had begun to change their economic and political systems.  
 
These countries encountered difficulties in supporting their scientific institutions during that period of profound transformations. As scientific knowledge and technical know-how are the basis for all future development, UNESCO saw its first task as supporting the scientists to enable them to continue their research related to the Aral Sea. Since 1998, UNESCO has intensified its efforts to address water-related problems, including social aspects of water use in the Aral Sea Basin, in a multi-disciplinary context drawing on the experience of the different sectors of the Organization. UNESCO has also established a Scientific Advisory Board on Aral Sea Basin Problems (SABAS), whose members are representatives of the scientific community of the region. They are invited not only to study the problems but also to advise how to remedy them and review the water-related development potential of the Basin.  
 
UNESCO launched its 'Aral Sea Initiative' outlining future activities in the area during its Executive Board session in November 1998. The first phase of this initiative, 'A Water Related Vision for the Aral Sea Basin', is presented here. This document is based on contributions from the five Working Groups established in the Central Asian Republics. The Aral Sea Basin Vision is also a contribution to the world-wide consultative project: 'Long Term Vision for Water, Life and the Environment' of the World Water Council. Views and information from many individuals, scientists and NGOs have been received and analyzed during the course of the consultation process. UNESCO aims to use the present Vision document as a basis for continuous and broad consultation leading to actions in the Aral Sea region that will help secure it a bright and sustainable future.  
 
(237 pages)
Availability
Available
Languages
Bilingual: English/Russian
ISBN or Document Code
 
Price
Free-of-Charge
Keywords
Aral Sea Basin, Aral Sea Initiative, Water-related Vision for the Aral Sea Basin, SABAS, Central Asian Republics, ecological and social disaster, health, drinking water supply, sanitation, environment and water, regional co-operation
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