English (UK)
On November 19, 2024, during the COP 29 conference in Baku, Azerbaijan, the Kazakhstan Pavilion hosted a session titled “Central Asia’s Path to Enhancing the Efficiency of Transboundary Water Resource Management in the Aral Sea Basin under Climate Impact.” The event brought together experts and stakeholders to discuss current solutions for water resource management in the region.
At the invitation of the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea (IFSA), Zhomart Mominbayev, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of TechnoGroupService LLP, participated as a speaker and presented the company’s flagship project, GREENAID, developed under the MacArthur Foundation’s 100&Change initiative.
The GREENAID project proposes an innovative approach to combating desertification and restoring the ecosystems of the dried Aral Sea bed. Its core concept combines saxaul afforestation with the installation of solar panels. These measures stabilize soil, reduce toxic dust storms, and create favorable conditions for plant growth. Solar panels provide energy for irrigation systems and reduce water evaporation through the shade they create.
In addition to its environmental benefits, the project supports local communities by creating jobs, engaging youth, and raising environmental awareness. The GREENAID model demonstrates significant scalability potential, including its application to the Uzbek portion of the Aral Sea Basin. The project’s long-term goals align with global efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, slow glacier melting, and improve air quality.
The session concluded with participants emphasizing the importance of collaborative efforts in managing water and ecological resources, as well as the critical role of partnerships between public, private, and international organizations in achieving sustainable environmental goals.
