The
Coordination Council of Partners for Water Sector Development was established
in Kazakhstan. It includes representatives from the relevant ministry, the United
Nations Development Programme (UNDP), international organizations, financial
institutions, donor communities, and other entities. The Council will focus on
mobilizing and efficiently distributing financial and technical resources. As a
result, international best practices and innovative solutions will be
introduced to the country’s water sector.
«We plan to
launch the second phase of the Northern Aral Sea preservation project in
partnership with the World Bank. Currently, the necessary documents are being
prepared. We are also working with the Islamic Development Bank. In early
September, we signed an interim protocol, and in October, we plan to sign the
main agreement,» said Kazakh Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation Nurzhan
Nurzhigitov.
The
Coordination Council will also contribute to strengthening regional cooperation
in water management. Kazakhstan has already concluded agreements with Central
Asian countries regarding the use of waters from transboundary rivers and with
Russia on their division. Currently, a relevant draft agreement with China is
being developed. Notably, there are more than 20 rivers between the two
countries.
«Research has been conducted. We visited China, and Chinese
experts paid us a return visit. Specialists from the two countries will jointly
study all the rivers to ensure that specific figures are available at the time
of signing the agreement. It will be divided equally—50/50. We know the volume
of water that is coming in,» said Bolat Bekniyaz, Kazakh First Vice Minister of
Water Resources and Irrigation.
It is worth noting that last year, the Ministry
of Water Resources and Irrigation was established in the country. During this
time, emphasis was placed on forming the sector's legal framework. Currently, a
draft of the new Water Code is under consideration in Parliament. Additionally,
the Concept of Water Resources Management System Development for 2024-2030 has
also been approved.
