President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov proposed to intensify work to improve the legal framework of the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea (IFAS), reports the State News Agency of Turkmenistan.

Speaking at a meeting of the Council of Heads of State-founders of the International Aral Fund in Dushanbe, the head of state noted that Turkmenistan will continue to advocate the implementation of specific initiatives of the founding countries of IFAS aimed at enhancing regional interaction and forming systemic mechanisms for cooperation in the field of environmental protection and sustainable development in the Central Asian region.

“In this regard, we propose to intensify work to improve the legal framework of the Fund and determine the goals and objectives of further work. We consider it necessary to conduct this process taking into account the interests of all the founding states of IFAS and on the basis of the fundamental principles and norms of international law”, - said the President of Turkmenistan.

The head of state expressed his conviction that resolving a set of issues directly related to the Aral issue, as part of the regional environmental agenda, requires deepening international partnership, further promotion of constructive initiatives, and active involvement of specialized UN structures. At the same time, according to the head of state, we need to create opportunities for more dynamic interaction of the Fund with international financial institutions and donors to implement projects and programs related to solving a wide range of issues that currently exist in the Aral Sea basin.

“I am convinced that the Aral problem, like the entire ecology of Central Asia, should take its proper place in the international ranking of environmental priorities. Our efforts here must be targeted and focused on ensuring the rights and legitimate interests of millions of our citizens, solving economic and social problems for decades to come”, - President Serdar Berdimuhamedov emphasized.