Aral Sea problem is a man-triggered disaster - SCO
URGENCH. KAZINFORM - The Aral Sea crisis should be treated as a man-induced disaster, believes SCO Deputy Secretary General Nurlan Akkoshkarov.
He made such statement at the international conference themed Development of cooperation in the Aral Sea region to mitigate the consequences of the ecological catastrophe in Urgench, Uzbekistan on Wednesday. "As one of man-made disasters, the Aral Sea problem poses a direct threat to sustainable development of the Central Asian region," Mr. Akkoshkarov said. The Treaty on long-term good neighborliness, friendship and cooperation concluded between the SCO member countries in 2007 ensures the ecological security and rational use of natural resources in the region. "The concept of cooperation in the sphere of environmental protection of the SCO member states that is currently under development is set to preserve biological balance on the SCO territory and strengthen cooperation in environment control," he added.