On February 3, 2025, the Silk Road International University of Tourism and Cultural Heritage hosted its fourth Lecture Hall for Tourism and Culture Leaders. The event featured Mr. Tazabay Uteuliev, CEO of Aral Sea Discovery, as the keynote speaker. He focused on sustainable tourism in Karakalpakstan. Mr. Uteuliev highlighted the devastating impact of Soviet irrigation projects on the Aral Sea ecosystem, which led to its severe shrinkage. He particularly emphasized the ecological transformations in Muynak and Sudochye Lake. CEO Uteuliev introduced the tourism development history and the growth story of his company-Aral Sea Discovery which business focuses on Aral Sea tourism.

The seminar was moderated by Vice Rector of science and innovation Tongqian Zou. All participants interacted actively to discuss about the future development of tourism and ecological restoration in the Aral Sea. This seminar helps us to understand the century disaster of ecology in Central Asia, and provides a good platform for further cooperation between our university and the tourism companies in Karakalpakstan.