During a two-day visit to East Azerbaijan Province, the Ambassador of Japan, accompanied by the Resident Representative of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), reviewed the achievements of Conservation Iranian Wetlands Project in Lake Urmia basin.
The visit of H.E. Kazutoshi AIKAWA, Ambassador of Japan to Iran, and Mr. Claudio Providas, UNDP Resident Representative in Iran was held to review the actions and achievements of the project of modeling local community participation in Lake Urmia restoration, which is implemented with the generous contribution and financial support of the People and Government of Japan and UNDP.
During this trip, visits were made to the ongoing activities of the CIWP in the fields of sustainable agriculture, as well as the economic diversification of livelihoods of local communities in the cities of Malekan, Bonab and Osko in East Azerbaijan.
An exhibition showcasing products of related livelihoods projects implemented and produced by the rural women's micro credit funds was also held.
The team also visited Lake Urmia where they had a chance to take a boat ride to see first-hand the current situation of the Lake. Alongside these activities, during the second day of the trip a stop was made to the Gori Gol Visitor Center to see their ongoing activities including awareness raising for children and youth on the importance of caring and looking after our environment.