LocationsThe third meeting of the Coordination Council of partners for the development of the water sector of the Republic of Kazakhstan held in Astana
August 4, 2026
The Third Meeting of the Coordination Council of Partners for the Development of the Water Sector of the Republic of Kazakhstan was held in Astana under the topic Advancing Water Conservation in Kazakhstan: Coordinating Efforts Between the Government and International Partners. The event was jointly organized by the Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Kazakhstan, bringing together representatives of international organizations, development agencies, financial institutions, the diplomatic community and the private sector.
Against the backdrop of increasing water scarcity and the growing impacts of climate change, water conservation has become one of Kazakhstan's key national priorities. Achieving long-term water security requires not only investment in infrastructure, but also the adoption of innovative technologies, digital solutions, integrated water resources management and the promotion of a culture of responsible water use.
Participants reviewed the progress made under the Water Partnership Initiative 2024–2030 and discussed new approaches to promoting water conservation, as well as strengthening cooperation among government institutions, international partners and financial organizations. Particular attention was given to the digital transformation of the water sector, including the application of artificial intelligence, satellite monitoring and automated water accounting systems to improve water resources management.
"The future of water security depends not on how much water we have, but on how effectively we manage it. Today, water conservation, digitalization and modern technologies are among the top priorities for the development of Kazakhstan's water sector. However, achieving these goals requires the combined efforts of government, academia, business and international partners. The Coordination Council is the platform through which we are building this collaborative model,"said Nurzhan Nurzhigitov, Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
The Coordination Council continues to serve as a key platform for bringing together the Government, international partners and the expert community to exchange knowledge, align priorities and accelerate the implementation of joint initiatives. Since its establishment, the Council has facilitated the signing of more than twenty cooperation agreements and memoranda between the Ministry and international partners. These partnerships have resulted in substantial technical assistance.
"Over the past two years, the Coordination Council has evolved from a dialogue platform into an effective mechanism for bringing together government institutions, international partners and financial institutions. The true value of this cooperation is measured not by the number of meetings held, but by the joint decisions that are already being translated into investment projects and policy improvements. UNDP is proud to be part of this process and will continue supporting Kazakhstan in advancing water conservation and strengthening the country's long-term water security,"said Katarzyna Wawiernia, UNDP Resident Representative in Kazakhstan.
This year’s theme brought together representatives not only from the water sector, but also from the fields of education, science, and public awareness. Unlike previous meetings, which focused primarily on financing, infrastructure and strengthening the legislative framework, this year's Coordination Council placed water conservation at the centre of the discussion. Recognizing that sustainable water management also depends on education, research and behavioural change, the meeting brought together Gulzat Kobenova, Vice Minister of Science and Higher Education and Shynar Akparova, Minister of Education, alongside development partners and technical experts.
The Ministry of Science and Higher Education considers workforce development a key priority for the sector:
“To meet the needs of the water sector, the annual state educational grant allocation for specialist training is being increased. Over the past few years, it has nearly tripled,”emphasized Gulzat Kobenova, Vice Minister of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
Shynar Akparova, Vice Minister of Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan, noted:
“Building an environmental culture and fostering responsible attitudes toward natural resources begins at school. Today, this work is being carried out through the unified educational programme Adal Azamat. More than 4,400 environmental clubs are operating across educational institutions, engaging over 125,000 schoolchildren, while initiatives such as Zhasyl Mektep and other environmental projects are being implemented. Our goal is to cultivate environmental awareness, responsible water use practices, and respect for natural resources among children, so that these values become an integral part of their daily lives.”
An important part of the programme was the signing ceremony of partnership agreements aimed at further strengthening cooperation in the water sector, as well as presentations of innovative water conservation solutions developed by companies and research organizations.
The meeting is expected to define the next priorities for cooperation on water conservation, digital transformation of the sector and mobilization of investments needed to ensure Kazakhstan's long-term water security.
Related
content
content
