The 7th Aral Summer School 2025 was held from 15–23 August 2025 in Almaty and the Aral Sea region, including Aralsk, Kokaral Dam, Akespe, Butakov Bay, and Kamyshlybash.

The School brought together 24 participants from Central Asia, Mongolia, Africa, Europe, and the USA, including students, researchers, academics, practitioners, and experts. The programme combined lectures, interactive workshops, mentoring sessions, and field visits focused on climate change, water governance, ecosystem restoration, sustainable development, and the environmental challenges of the Aral Sea region.

A key feature of the Summer School was the participation of international experts and mentors, who provided participants with diverse regional and international perspectives. Among them was Jean-Paul Deroin (France, Université de Reims), a partner of the Erasmus+ HWCA project, Strengthening Higher Education in the Water Sector for Climate Resilience and Security in Central Asia. His contribution supported knowledge exchange and strengthened the international dimension of the programme.

Other international experts included Stuart Bowlin (USA), UAV specialist and co-founder of rTek, and Tochukwu Omenma (Nigeria), Humboldt Research Fellow.

The field programme included visits to the UNDP Green Belt site in Aralkum, Kamyshlybash Fish Hatchery, Akespe thermal spring, Butakov Bay, Kokaral Dam, and the Eco-Aral Center, allowing participants to explore practical approaches to desertification, fisheries restoration, climate resilience, and sustainable tourism.

As a result, participants strengthened their knowledge and practical skills in water governance, ecosystem restoration, climate resilience, and research methodologies, while developing new professional connections with peers and experts from across the region and beyond.

The Summer School also promoted greener event practices, including reusable materials, local and seasonal catering, group transportation, and waste reduction and recycling measures.