The participants were welcomed by the Minister of Health of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Akmaral Sharipbaevna Alnazarova, who initiated the inclusion of this topic in the IWG agenda. She emphasized the importance of a comprehensive approach to addressing the consequences of the Aral catastrophe and noted that the issue of the population’s health in the region should remain a central focus for state authorities and international partners.
Kazakh Medical University of Continuing Education, School of Public Health, took part with a report covering the following key topics:
The legacy of the Aral catastrophe: dust and salt storms and their impact on environmental quality;
The rise in morbidity and sociological consequences for the local population;
Analysis of systemic mistakes of past decades;
An intersectoral approach as the key to sustainable development;
Practical implementation of the “One Health” concept and its integration into long-term programs for the Aral Sea area. The participants stressed the need for further cooperation and knowledge exchange to minimize environmental damage and improve the quality of life of the population in the areas surrounding the Aral Sea.
