An opening ceremony for the international volunteer week 'GREEN ARAL: VOLUNTEERS FOR LIFE 2026' was held in Kyzylorda, aimed at preserving the nature of the Aral Sea region and protecting its ecosystem.
The initiative was organized at the proposal of the President of Kazakhstan, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, in connection with the UN-declared International Year of Volunteers for Sustainable Development.
The opening ceremony was attended by First Deputy Governor of Kyzylorda Region Daniyar Zhanalinov, Deputy Chairman of the Committee for Civil Society Affairs of the Ministry of Culture and Information of the Republic of Kazakhstan Togzhan Zeidenova, members of the People's Council of Kazakhstan Vera Kim and Zhanar Bimuratkyzy, chairman of the regional public council Nauryzbai Baikadamov, as well as 100 volunteers from Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, and 10 regions of Kazakhstan. More than 500 active students and young volunteers of the region also joined the event.
Speaking at the ceremony, First Deputy Governor of the region Daniyar Zhanalinov congratulated the participants on the opening of the international volunteer week GREEN ARAL and noted the significance of the volunteer movement in the life of the country.
'Holding today's meeting in Kyzylorda Region and the name of the week — GREEN ARAL — have special significance. This is an important initiative calling for the protection of the environment, the formation of an ecological culture, and an awareness of our shared responsibility for the fate of the Aral Sea region. The problem of the Aral is a pressing issue that is in the focus of attention not only of our country but of the whole world. Careful treatment of nature and participation in solving environmental problems are our common task. I wish all participants fruitful work, constructive dialogue, and successful implementation of the planned initiatives!' — noted Daniyar Zhanalinov.
During the event, a number of citizens who contributed to the development of the volunteer movement in the region and showed active engagement in public activities were awarded letters of Appreciation from the Akim of the region.
Deputy Chairman of the Committee for Civil Society Affairs of the Ministry of Culture and Information of the Republic of Kazakhstan Togzhan Zeidenova also spoke at the ceremony, emphasizing the importance of supporting volunteer initiatives.
In turn, the chairperson of the National Volunteer Network and member of the People's Council of Kazakhstan, Vera Kim, read out a special welcome letter from the chairman of the People's Council of Kazakhstan, Erlan Koshanov.
As part of the program, participants will exchange experience, present environmental initiatives, and discuss joint approaches to solving pressing environmental problems. The main events will take place in the Aral district of Kyzylorda Region.
The international volunteer week 'GREEN ARAL: VOLUNTEERS FOR LIFE 2026' unites youth, public organizations, and international partners to develop environmental volunteering and support initiatives for preserving the nature of the Aral Sea region.

Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/kyzylorda/press/news/details/1313976?lang=ru