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On December 8, Mr Alexandros Makarigakis, UNESCO Representative a.i. in Uzbekistan paid an official visit to the Republic of Karakalpakstan. In Nukus, he was welcomed by Mr. Murat Kamalov, the Chairman of the Jokargy Kenes  (Supreme Council) of Karakalpakstan, and met subsequently with the Chairperson of the Council of Ministries of Mr. Sariev to further detail the future modalities of UNESCO’s cooperation with the Republic. Mr. Makarigakis held meeting with Mr. Usakov D.,  Minister of Water Resources of the Republic of Karakalpakstan,  Mr Kusekeev. B,  the Deputy head of the main directorate  for tourism and sports of the Republic of Karakalpakstan, Mr . Murat Jollibekov, Deputy Chairman of the Committee for Environmental Protection and Ecology of the Republic of Karakalpakstan.

During these meetings past, present and future cooperation was discussed. In particular, the implementation of the EU funded project “Skills Development for Employability in Rural Areas of Uzbekistan”, the continuous preservation, conservation and restoration of the rich heritage sites and customs of the Republic, as well as the development of sustainable tourism and creation of livelihood opportunities. Mr Makarigakis congratulated the Officials on the inclusion  of the Lower Amudarya State Biosphere Reserve in Uzbekistan in the UNESCO’s Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Program, and discussed the new tourism potential opportunities for the rural communities that such designation brings. Last but not least a new research project on water resources in Karakalpakstan was discussed as well as the potential to train human resources on smart water management systems.