LINK to images
- An emergent initiative dedicated to the social and environmental transformation of the Aral Sea region through art, culture, design and science debuts 4-6 April 2025.
- To be inaugurated during the first Global Climate Forum in Samarkand on 4th April, attended by EU and Central Asian leaders and reinforcing Uzbekistan's commitment to green development and global cooperation.
- A multidisciplinary programme in Nukus, Karakalpakstan (5-6 April) with global and regional experts on culture, architecture, ecology, food security and water resource management to foster dialogue and call to action.
- A masterplan to revitalise Istiqlol, the Summit's future headquarters - a former amusement park and one of few remaining green spaces in Nukus - will be unveiled on 5th April 2025.
NUKUS, Uzbekistan, April 3, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Aral Culture Summit (ACS), a cultural and environmental initiative to revitalise the Aral Sea region in Central Asia will take place from 4-6 April 2025. Organised by the Uzbekistan Art and Culture Development Foundation (ACDF), the Summit seeks to foster dialogue and action through art, culture, design, and science.
ACS will bring together leading cultural figures, policymakers, artists, and environmental experts across two cities to explore and implement sustainable solutions that address the Aral Sea crisis and global climate challenges. Aral Culture Summit 2025 will be inaugurated during the first Global Climate Forum in Samarkand (4th April), attended by regional and European heads-of-states and reinforcing Uzbekistan's commitment to the regional cooperation for environmental and social development.
Programme Highlights and Themes
Aral Culture Summit continues in Nukus, Karakalpakstan near the Aral Sea on 5-6 April and will host a multidisciplinary programme with panel discussions, keynotes, artistic performances, and exhibitions, addressing critical issues such as environmental regeneration, creative economy, and cultural diplomacy. On 5th April, Gayane Umerova, Chairperson of ACDF will announce a preliminary masterplan for the regeneration of Istiqlol, a former amusement park in Nukus, reimagined by Ludi Architects as a permanent cultural and ecological hub.
Gayane Umerova, Chairperson of ACDF, comments:
"Aral Culture Summit is a platform for change. By integrating cultural dialogue with the climate agenda, we are ensuring that the arts contribute to our collective commitment to long term sustainable development. Our participation in the first Global Climate Forum underscores the critical role of culture to drive environmental transformation."
aralculturesummit.uz | @aral.culture.summit
Press Kit: LINK (including hi-res images)
Photo - https://mma.prnasia.com/media2/2656559/Aral_Culture_Summit_1.jpg?p=medium600
Photo - https://mma.prnasia.com/media2/2656556/Aral_Culture_Summit_2.jpg?p=medium600
Photo - https://mma.prnasia.com/media2/2656555/Aral_Culture_Summit_3.jpg?p=medium600
** The press release content is from PR Newswire. Bastille Post is not involved in its creation. **
ARAL CULTURE SUMMIT 2025: UZBEKISTAN'S LANDMARK EVENT ALIGNING CULTURE, ECOLOGY, AND REGIONAL COOPERATION ANNOUNCES OFFICIAL PROGRAMME
ARAL CULTURE SUMMIT 2025: UZBEKISTAN'S LANDMARK EVENT ALIGNING CULTURE, ECOLOGY, AND REGIONAL COOPERATION ANNOUNCES OFFICIAL PROGRAMME
ARAL CULTURE SUMMIT 2025: UZBEKISTAN'S LANDMARK EVENT ALIGNING CULTURE, ECOLOGY, AND REGIONAL COOPERATION ANNOUNCES OFFICIAL PROGRAMME
Martin Sjolund appointed President and Chief Executive Officer, effective June 17, 2025
Vikram Atal to serve as senior advisor through December 31, 2025
NORFOLK, Va., April 8, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- PRA Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: PRAA), a global leader in acquiring and collecting nonperforming loans, today announced that its Board of Directors has appointed President of PRA Group Europe Martin Sjolund to serve as President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), effective June 17, 2025. Sjolund succeeds current President and CEO Vikram Atal, who announced that he will retire and serve as a senior advisor through December 31, 2025. Sjolund will be appointed to the Board upon assuming the role of President and CEO, and Atal will retire from the Board at that time.
"On behalf of the Board, I want to thank Vik for his leadership of PRA Group during a pivotal time," said Executive Chair of the Board Steve Fredrickson. "Today's announcement is the culmination of the Board's ongoing succession planning process and commitment to enabling long-term, profitable growth."
"It has been a privilege to lead PRA Group through this transformative time in the company's history," said Atal. "Since March 2023, I have worked closely with Martin, and I am highly confident in his ability to further strengthen our global leadership position. His strong track record in our European business, extensive industry knowledge, thoughtful leadership and commitment to our culture and customers will build on our strengths and create meaningful value for our shareholders in the years to come."
"I am honored to have the opportunity to lead PRA Group as we enter our next phase of growth," said Sjolund. "As a team, we have already achieved record global portfolio purchases and double-digit cash growth, expanded our leadership team, improved operational processes and strengthened our capital structure. These actions have positioned us to continue driving the company forward while delivering value to our shareholders."
About Martin Sjolund
Sjolund has served as President of PRA Group Europe since 2018, providing leadership across 15 markets in Europe, Canada and Australia. During his tenure, Sjolund oversaw nearly $3 billion of successful portfolio investments across Europe, all while significantly improving the profitability of the European business. He led our expansion into two new markets, modernized the IT infrastructure and contact platforms, enhanced the data and analytics function and ultimately created one of Europe's most cost-efficient debt buying platforms.
Before being promoted to his current role, Sjolund served as Chief Operating Officer of Europe from 2015 until 2018. He was previously Director of Group Strategy and Corporate Development (Europe), a position he also held at Aktiv Kapital from 2011 until PRA Group acquired Aktiv Kapital in 2014.
Prior to joining Aktiv Kapital, Sjolund held leadership positions in global technology companies and was a management consultant with McKinsey & Company in Singapore and London. Sjolund holds an MBA from the University of Chicago and is a graduate of Georgetown University.
About PRA Group
As a global leader in acquiring and collecting nonperforming loans, PRA Group, Inc. returns capital to banks and other creditors to help expand financial services for consumers in the Americas, Europe and Australia. With thousands of employees worldwide, PRA Group companies collaborate with customers to help them resolve their debt. For more information, please visit www.pragroup.com.
News Media Contact:
Elizabeth Kersey
Senior Vice President, Communications and Public Policy
(757) 641-0558
Elizabeth.Kersey@PRAGroup.com
Investor Contact:
Najim Mostamand, CFA
Vice President, Investor Relations
(757) 431-7913
IR@PRAGroup.com
** The press release content is from PR Newswire. Bastille Post is not involved in its creation. **
PRA Group Announces Leadership Succession Plan
