XIEG Attends International Scientific-Practical Conference on "Scientific Approaches to Addressing Global Environmental and Water Challenges in Central Asia"

At the invitation of the Ministry of Water Resources of Uzbekistan, Deputy Director DUAN Weili from the Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography (XIEG) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), participated in the International Scientific-Practical Conference on "Scientific Approaches to Addressing Global Environmental and Water Challenges in Central Asia." The conference was held in Tashkent from June 18 to 22 and was organized by the Research Institute of Irrigation and Water Problems of Uzbekistan to mark its 100th anniversary (1925–2025). Over 200 participants, including 42 international scientists attended the conference.

Established in 1925, the Research Institute of Irrigation and Water Problems—formerly known as the Central Asian Irrigation Research Institute named after V.D. Zhurin—has developed extensive expertise in irrigation, land reclamation, drainage, and water resource conservation. Over the past century, the institute has played a leading role in addressing water and environmental challenges. Its scientific achievements have gained international recognition and have been applied beyond Central Asia.

On June 19, XIEG represented by Deputy Director DUAN Weili and Prof. YANG Zhenlei, held a meeting with the Research Institute of Irrigation and Water Problems for knowledge exchange and further collaborations. DUAN conveyed greetings from Director ZHANG Yuanming to Director Abduvokhid Urazkeldiev and Prof. Khusen Gafforov. The two sides engaged in meaningful talks on joint research projects and talent training programs. After the meeting, DUAN and YANG toured the facilities of the Uzbek institute.

On June 20, during the International Scientific-practical Conference on "Scientific Approaches to Addressing Global Environmental and Water Challenges in Central Asia". Deputy Director DUAN Weili conveyed greetings from Director ZHANG Yuanming to Mr. Shavkat Khamraev, Minister of Water Resources of Uzbekistan. DUAN extended his congratulations on the 100th anniversary of the Research Institute of Irrigation and Water Problems, delivered an academic presentation, and engaged in in-depth exchanges with scientists from various countries on rational water use and efficient irrigation in Central Asia. He emphasized that XIEG will proactively expand collaboration with Central Asian countries in fields such as hydrology and water resources, desertification control, biodiversity conservation, human–environment interaction, and ecological restoration of the Aral Sea.

This visit enhanced XIEG's international profile in the field of water resources and environmental research in arid regions, and laid a strong foundation for future collaboration with the Research Institute of Irrigation and Water Problems.

Visit to the Research Institute of Irrigation and Water Problems. (Image by XIEG)

DUAN Weili delivers his speech at the International Scientific-Practical Conference on “Scientific Approaches to Addressing Global Environmental and Water Challenges in Central Asia”. (Image by XIEG)

Contact

LONG Huaping

Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography

E-mail: longhp@ms.xjb.ac.cn

Web: http://english.egi.cas.cn