Uzbekistan is highly dependent on irrigated agriculture which uses over 90% of its available water resources. It has experienced increasing temperatures, irregular precipitation patterns, and a significant water shortage exacerbated by the shrinking of the Aral Sea. The entire population is affected by water shortages and higher temperatures, but farmers and others reliant on water availability for their livelihoods are most at risk. A severe drought in 2000 impacted over 1 million people and the government required international aid, demonstrating the country's vulnerability to climate change impacts.

1. Impact of Climate Change in Central Asia. Case study: Uzbekistan Gilfanova Irina, Chief of Information Department, Youth Environmental Network of Uzbekistan. Forum on the Current Challenges of Climate Change Quezon City, July 5, 2011

2. Uzbekistan is the agro-industrial country with predomination of agriculture part in the economy, which is based on irrigated agriculture . Background

3. Peculiarity of Uzbekistan is the usage of over 90% of all accessible water resources for irrigation needs. Water resources of transboundary rivers of Aral Sea basin (to which Uzbekistan belongs) are fully regulated and distributed between countries-water users, and Uzbekistan is the major water user. Background

4. At present time there is significant deficiency of water resources in the region, and this problem is complicated by Aral Sea crisis. Background

5. Formerly one of the four largest lakes in the world with an area of 68,000 square kilometres (26,300 sq mi), the Aral Sea has been steadily shrinking since the 1960s after the rivers that fed it were diverted by irrigation projects. Background Recent reports state traces of Aral salt have been found l000 km to the southeast of the sea in the fertile Fergana Valley, in Georgia on the Black Sea coast, and even along the arctic shore By 2007 it had declined to 10% of its original size. From exposed salty bed (35 thousand km 2 ) up to 100 million tons of salty dust flew out annually.

9. Climate change victims: The entire population is suffered from water shortage, but mostly those population groups whose livelihoods and earnings directly depend on water availability, farmers, for instance;

10. In 2000 the strongest drought for 100 years was fixed. The level of water in all rivers dropped to 20-40 % of the average level Famine struck more than 1 million people, mostly in rural areas. Our government wasn’t able to solve this issue and requested global community for additional funds Climate change victims:

11. Climate change will negatively affect the biodiversity of the country, i.e. people who depend on availability of biological resources, that is, all population. Vulnerable groups:

12. Thank you for your attention!