The capital of Kazakhstan hosted a high-level meeting of the Board of the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea (IFAS), chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Kanat Bozumbayev. The session brought together representatives from Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and Kazakhstan to discuss regional water and environmental strategies. Turkmenistan was represented by Vice-Prime Minister Tangryguly Atahallyev, who oversees the agricultural sector, while the Kyrgyz delegation attended the proceedings as observers.

The meeting took place during the final stage of Kazakhstan's chairmanship of the fund and served as a critical preparatory step for the upcoming summit of the Heads of the Founder States of IFAS. The participants evaluated current regional cooperation efforts aimed at mitigating the environmental consequences of the Aral Sea crisis. Discussions emphasized the necessity of optimizing the fund’s internal structure to better address transboundary water management and ecological protection in Central Asia.

Following the deliberations, five strategic decisions were signed to streamline the fund's operations and prepare for future high-level engagements. Key among these was the approval of the agenda for the Heads of State meeting scheduled for April 22, 2026, in Astana. Additionally, the Board finalized documents regarding coordinated actions with international partners, ensuring a unified approach to seeking global support for regional environmental initiatives.

Furthermore, the delegates reviewed technical proposals for establishing a comprehensive system for accounting and distributing water resources in the Syr Darya basin. A significant highlight was the discussion regarding the "Decade of Practical Actions for Rational Water Use" set for 2026–2036. This long-term initiative aims to implement innovative water-saving solutions and promote sustainable development across the Aral Sea region over the next decade.