Kyrgyzstan Affirms Support for Aral Sea Restoration Project

At the First Central Asia - Italy Summit in Astana, Kyrgyz President Sadyr Zhaparov highlighted the importance of the event for strengthening regional and international cooperation.

“The Summit opens a new chapter in our relations. The Kyrgyz Republic is ready to take part in implementation of joint initiatives, which will benefit our peoples and will strengthen the ties between our regions,” he said, The Caspian Post reports, citing Kazinform.

One of the central topics of his speech was water cooperation.

Sadyr Zhaparov said that Kyrgyzstan thoroughly explores Italy’s proposition regarding the socio-economic restoration of the Aral Sea basin.

“The Kyrgyz side expresses its readiness for a constructive interaction on this project with the consideration of the interests, in particular, priorities of all countries of the region,” he stressed.

Sadyr Zhaparov also drew attention to the environmental risks Kyrgyzstan faces. He compared the decline in the water level in Lake Issyk-Kul to the scale of the Aral Sea disaster.

In this context, Zhaparov stated Kyrgyzstan’s aspiration to implement ecological and infrastructure projects.

He also reminded of the Second Global Mountain Summit “Bishkek+25” to be hosted by Kyrgyzstan in 2027.