The second consultative meeting of Central Asian countries on the development of a mechanism for implementing the United Nations Special Programme for the Aral Sea Basin (UN SPAS) and a regional seminar on water diplomacy took place in the ‘Awaza’ National Tourist Zone from 11 to 12 September 2026. This was reported by the press service of the Foreign Affairs Ministry of Turkmenistan.

The events were organised by the Foreign Affairs Ministry of Turkmenistan, the Ministry of Environmental Protection of Turkmenistan and the State Committee for Water Resources of Turkmenistan, with the support of the UNDP/GEF project and in collaboration with the Blue Peace Central Asia initiative.

The meetings were attended by representatives of relevant ministries and agencies from Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan, the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea, UNDP, the United Nations Regional Centre for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia (UNRCCA), as well as international and regional organisations.

Participants discussed the further development of regional cooperation in the Aral Sea basin and the priorities of the Central Asian countries within the framework of the UN Special Programme. The delegations presented their positions on further cooperation and possible directions for the development of UN SPAS.

Following the meeting, a Final Summary of the participating countries was adopted. The document sets out practical steps regarding the format, legal basis, operational mechanisms and funding of the UN Special Programme for the Aral Sea Basin.