The Japanese government has pledged $3.3 million to support the restoration of Lake Urmia, located in Iran’s West Azerbaijan province, confirmed Ahmadreza Lahijanzadeh, Deputy Head of Iran’s Environmental Protection Organization, Report informs via Azad Iran.
This marks the third cooperative project between Japan and Iran aimed at protecting Iran’s wetlands, particularly Lake Urmia. The allocated funds will focus on restoring the lake and safeguarding surrounding communities affected by wetland degradation.
The restoration project is scheduled to run from 2024 to 2028, in collaboration with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). Japan’s contribution highlights the global significance of addressing Lake Urmia’s drying crisis.
Previously, at the end of 2024, Japan allocated $4.5 million toward Lake Urmia’s restoration, underscoring its ongoing commitment to environmental preservation in the region.
