Alakol natural reserve granted status of UNESCO Biosphere Reserve
ASTANA. August 23. KAZINFORM The Alakol state natural reserve has been designated the UNESCO biosphere reserve within the framework of a forum in Astana on the occasion of inauguration of the International Decade for the Rapprochement of Cultures.
UNESCO Director General Irina Bokova handed the diploma confirming the new status of the reserve to the Kazakh Ministry of Environment in the capital of Kazakhstan on Friday.
"The concept of the rapprochement of cultures embraces all spheres of our life - from education to economy. Environmental problems play an important role in this context. In this connection, UNESCO has decided to feature the Alakol reserve into the UNESCO network of biosphere reserves that will help preserve the unique nature of the region and develop economy and tourism potential of Kazakhstan," said Mr. Imangali Tasmagambetov, Astana mayor and Chairman of the National Commission of the Republic of Kazakhstan for UNESCO and ISESCO Affairs.