COMPREHENSIVE NATIONAL PROGRAM

FOR LAND RESTORATION, SUSTAINABLE WATER MANAGEMENT, AND REHABILITATION OF THE ARAL SEA REGION OF THE REPUBLIC OF UZBEKISTAN (2026-2040)

The Republic of Uzbekistan faces serious challenges in the areas of land resources, water security, and the condition of the Aral Sea region. Soil degradation, salinization, wind erosion, deterioration of pastures, high load on the Amu Darya and Syr Darya rivers, water losses in irrigation networks, acute freshwater deficit, and the ecological disaster of the Aral Sea directly impact food security, public health, and economic development.

To solve these complex problems, a new type of national program is required, combining land restoration, rational water management, and waste processing 4 based on innovation, climate resilience, and a long-term vision until 2040.

Program Goal: Sustainable Ecological and Resource Platform

Formation of a sustainable ecological and resource development platform for Uzbekistan, capable of restoring soils, retaining and saving water, processing waste into useful materials, and ensuring the revival of the Aral Sea region.

1

Land Restoration

Restore 234 million hectares of degraded lands and pastures.

2

Reducing water loss

Reduce water losses in irrigation systems by 25-30%.

3

Water efficiency

Increasing water use efficiency and crop yields.

4

Using recycled water

Create a system for purifying recycled water and wastewater.

5

Revival of the Aral Sea

Launch a sustainable model for the restoration of the Aral Sea region.

6

Waste recycling

To form a new sector of processing waste into resource products.

Key program objectives

Restoring soil fertility

Combating salinization and desertification.

Increasing soil moisture capacity

Stabilization of pastures.

Reconstruction of the irrigation system

Implementation of water-saving technologies.

Improving water quality

Implementation of secondary recycled water supply.

Waste recycling

Converting industrial and agricultural waste into useful products.

Digital monitoring platform

Creation of a unified system for monitoring land and water resources.

Funding attraction

Development of international partnerships.

Concept: "Land + Water + Resources + Aral Sea"

The program forms a new natural-economic circuit, where each element supports the other:

Soil retains water

The basis for growth and development.

Water supports the harvest

A vital resource for agriculture.

Waste is transformed into a resource

Circular economy.

Aral gets a chance for revival

Restoration of ecological balance.
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This is a shift from a consumption model to a model of resource recovery and recycling, ensuring long-term sustainability and prosperity.

Technology platform: EcoSyntos and AveLife

The program is based on innovative EcoSyntos and AveLife solutions used in three key areas to achieve maximum efficiency:

Earth

- Restoration of humus and biota;
- Increase in moisture capacity;
- Reduction of salinization and erosion;
- Reclamation of disturbed areas.

Water

- Purification of irrigation and industrial waters
- Reduction of organic and chemical load
- Binding of heavy metals and toxins
- Reuse of water in agriculture

Waste + Resource

- Organic residues 3 soil formers
- Industrial waste 3 geopolymers, nanocellulose, sorbents
- Application of glauconite for water purification and soil activation

The result is a closed cycle of bioresources that minimizes losses and maximizes the benefits of each element.

Aral Sea Region Pilot Program

The Aral Sea region is seen not as an ecological disaster zone, but as a starting point for a sustainable development model that demonstrates the program’s potential in the most challenging conditions.

Restoration of agricultural landscapes

Restoration of pastures in Karakalpakstan.

Phytoremediation

Strengthening sands with saxaul to prevent erosion and improve soil structure.

EcoSyntos/AveLife application

Comprehensive land reclamation to neutralize saline soils.

Wastewater treatment and tanks

Creation of small tanks and microbalances.

Ecological agriculture

Development of sustainable agricultural methods.

Production of secondary materials

Creation of new jobs and economic activity.

Socio-economic support

Comprehensive assistance to the population of the region.

Geography of program implementation

The program covers the most critical regions of Uzbekistan, where the problems of land and water resource degradation are particularly acute:

Karakalpakstan

Center of the New Aral program.

Lower Amu Darya

Combating salinization and optimizing irrigation.

Bukhara, Navoi

Remediation of technogenically disturbed lands.

Fergana Valley

Water conservation and intensive farming.

Kashkadarya, Surkhandarya

Modernization of irrigation systems and water return.

Stages of program implementation and management

The program will be implemented in three stages, each of which will have its own scope and focus, ensuring consistent and sustainable development:
Stage 2026-2028 2029-2035 2036-2040
Scale Pilots Expansion Sustainability
Focus Aral + Irrigation Country Long-term Stability

The program will be managed through:

  • National Land and Water Resources Council: coordination and strategic direction.
  • Single Digital Map: monitoring progress and data-driven decision-making.
  • Annual Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and reporting: performance measurement and transparency.

Program funding

To ensure sustainable funding for the program, a multi-channel approach will be used, including both domestic and international sources:

State budget

Key projects and strategic initiatives.

IOFS

Technological cooperation and international projects.

PPP

Public-private partnerships in water infrastructure and waste management.

Green bonds

Attracting investment through green bonds and carbon finance.

Climate funds

GCF, GEF, IFAD, IDB, ADB, EBRD and other international funds.

International cooperation and expected results

The program opens up broad opportunities for cooperation with the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), which unites 57 countries of the Islamic world, in the areas of economy, food, and humanitarian security.

Opportunities for Uzbekistan:

Cooperation with OIC countries in agricultural and water projects.
Export of solutions and technologies to OIC countries.
Transfer of land, water and waste management models to Uzbekistan.
Creation of the Center for Bioregenerative Solutions in the Aral Sea Region.

Expected results:

Restoring fertility and increasing yields.
Reducing water shortages and improving irrigation quality.
Stabilization of the Aral Sea region and improvement of regional ecology.
Creating new "green" industries and jobs.
Strengthening food and resource security in Uzbekistan.

The Land + Water + Resources + Aral program is a national strategic initiative of Uzbekistan that integrates the restoration of land and water bodies, ensuring sustainable resource management, including waste recycling, into a single resource cycle. The program aims to form a climate-resilient recycling economy, provide the population with food and water, revive the Aral Sea region, and create and increase the country’s export competencies within the OIC. It is proposed to launch it from 2026 as a long-term state priority.