The Scientific-Information Center (SIC) of the Interstate Commission on Sustainable Development (ICSD) is a body of the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea (IFAS), established by the Presidents of Central Asian countries in accordance with the Agreement on Joint Actions to Address the Problems of the Aral Sea, Restore the Environment, and Promote Socio-Economic Development in the Aral Sea Region, signed by the Heads of State in Kyzylorda in March 1993.

As part of efforts to enhance the institutional and legal framework of IFAS, an updated Regulation on SIC ICSD was approved by Decision No. 3 on March 18, 2022.

Main Objective

The primary objective of SIC ICSD is to provide informational and expert support to ICSD. It aims to establish a comprehensive information system to facilitate decision-making at regional and national levels, as well as to standardize the collection of socio-economic, scientific-technical, and environmental data relevant to the region’s sustainable development.

Key Tasks of SIC

• Collection, processing, and systematization of scientific and informational data on the environmental and socio-economic conditions of the Aral Sea Basin.
• Establishment of a unified scientific-information database and data repository on environmental protection and sustainable natural resource management in the Aral Sea Basin.
• Development of scientific, technical, environmental, and socio-economic cooperation recommendations for addressing regional challenges in Central Asia.
• Providing IFAS member states with information on environmental issues, sustainable development, scientific advancements, and best practices.
• Development of concepts and programs in the field of environmental protection and sustainable development.
• Promoting the implementation of international environmental monitoring standards and the unification of environmental assessment systems.
• Development of common methodological approaches for ecological and economic assessment of natural resources and environmental projects in the Aral Sea Basin.
• Supporting the harmonization of environmental protection and sustainable development legislation among Central Asian countries.
• General management and coordination of SIC branches in Central Asian states.
• Providing scientific and informational support to the ICSD Consultative Council, including the preparation of working materials, reports on program and project implementation.

Structure of SIC

SIC ICSD office is based at the National Institute of Deserts, Flora, and Fauna of the Ministry of Environmental Protection of Turkmenistan and serves as the head institution overseeing SIC branches in other Central Asian countries, including Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan.

SIC consists of four specialized departments:

• Scientific-Technical Issues and International Cooperation
• Socio-Economic and Legal Issues
• Ecology and Biodiversity
• Informatics and Data Management

Address: 15 Bitarap Turkmenistan street Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, 744000

Tel. +993 12 94-05-82

E-mail: sic-icsd@sanly.tm 

https://sic-icsd.com.tm/en/