Lake Aydarkul, Uzbekistan — The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) Representation in Uzbekistan marked World Environment Day by organizing an environmental clean-up along the shores of Lake Aydarkul.
Observed annually in June, World Environment Day is the United Nations’ leading global platform for raising awareness of environmental challenges and promoting collective action to protect the planet.
The observance was established following the 1972 United Nations Conference on the Human Environment in Stockholm and was first held in 1973. Today, it brings together governments, international organizations, civil society, the private sector and local communities to advance environmental action worldwide.
Lake Aydarkul is one of Uzbekistan’s distinctive natural areas. Its landscapes, water resources and surrounding ecosystems provide important opportunities for recreation, domestic tourism and ecotourism.
However, plastic bottles, bags, food packaging and other waste left behind by visitors pose a growing threat to the area. Improperly discarded waste can pollute soil and water, diminish the value of natural landscapes and harm birds and other wildlife.
During the clean-up, FAO personnel collected plastic and other household waste from recreational areas along the lakeshore. The initiative underscored the importance of responsible behaviour, sustainable use of natural resources and environmental stewardship in everyday life.
“World Environment Day reminds us that environmental protection is not limited to large-scale initiatives; it begins with responsible choices in our daily lives. Keeping unique natural areas such as Lake Aydarkul clean is a shared responsibility. By leaving no waste behind and treating nature with care, every visitor can help preserve these invaluable places for future generations,” said Sherzod Umarov, Deputy FAO Representative in Uzbekistan.
The initiative reflects FAO’s commitment to the sustainable management of natural resources, ecosystem protection, biodiversity conservation and greater environmental responsibility.
FAO encourages citizens, tourists and all visitors to keep Lake Aydarkul and other natural areas across Uzbekistan clean, avoid leaving waste behind and dispose of it only in designated locations.
Protecting natural areas is a shared responsibility. The places enjoyed today must be preserved in a clean, healthy and sustainable condition for future generations.
16/02/2026 
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