Mission IFAS

IFAS was established in 1993 by the Heads of State of Central Asia to overcome the environmental crisis and improve the socio-economic situation in the Aral Sea basin, recognized by the world community as one of the largest disasters of the XX century.  The Heads of State of Central Asia established the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea (IFAS) in 1993 and approved the Regulations on IFAS.

In February 1997, the Heads of States, adopted the IFAS principle management scheme (management concept), according to which the IFAS includes the Revision Commission, the Board, the Executive Committee, the Interstate Commission on Sustainable Development and the Interstate Water Coordination Commission.

The main objectives of IFAS are:

• financing and crediting of joint interstate environmental and scientific-practical programs and projects aimed at saving the Aral Sea and improving the environmental situation in the areas affected by the Aral disaster, as well as solving common socio-environmental problems of the region;
• financing of joint fundamental and applied research, scientific and technical developments to restore ecological balance, rational use of natural resources and environmental protection;
• creation and maintenance of the interstate environmental monitoring system, data bank and other systems on the state of the natural environment of the Aral Basin;
• mobilization of funds for joint activities to protect the air basin, water and land resources, flora and fauna;
• financing of joint scientific and technical projects and developments on the management of transboundary inland waters;
• participation in the implementation of international programs and projects for saving the Aral Sea and ecological improvement of the Aral basin.