Kazakhstan’s water initiative has moved onto the international agenda. At COP17 in Ulaanbaatar, Astana presented conceptual approaches to establishing an International Water Organization and proposed continuing the discussion on UN platforms, DKNews.kz reports.
The special event was organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan on the sidelines of the 17th Conference of the Parties to the UN Convention to Combat Desertification. Representatives of the UN, national delegations, the expert community and non-governmental organizations took part in the discussion.
From Astana to New York: Consultations Held at Three Venues
The Kazakh delegation presented conceptual approaches to establishing an International Water Organization, as well as the results of international consultations held in Astana, Nairobi and New York.
Kazakhstan is now inviting interested states and organizations to discuss further improvements to the global water governance system. One of the next key venues for this dialogue will be the upcoming UN Water Conference in Abu Dhabi.
The initiative is based on a proposal by President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev to establish an International Water Organization.
Its practical purpose is to strengthen international coordination at a time when water security is becoming increasingly interconnected with drought, land degradation, food security and biodiversity.
Water Links Drought, Food Security and Land Degradation
This interconnection became one of the central topics of the discussion in Ulaanbaatar.
Participants considered water resource management not as an isolated sectoral issue, but in the context of the consequences of drought, land degradation, risks to food security and declining biodiversity.
For Kazakhstan, the issue also has a direct regional dimension. Almas Seitakynov, Ambassador of the Republic of Kazakhstan to Mongolia, drew attention to the long-term environmental challenges facing Kazakhstan, Mongolia and Central Asia.
The meeting also addressed prospects for improving regional mechanisms of cooperation in the water sector.
Mongolia Calls Kazakhstan’s Initiative Timely
Zeneemyadaryn Batbayar, Chairman of Mongolia’s Water Agency, described Kazakhstan’s initiative as timely.
He highlighted the interconnection between global water issues and environmental and climate challenges, which increasingly require joint solutions from states and international institutions.
Participants also pointed to the relevance of strengthening global water governance amid ongoing UN reforms and growing challenges in the field of water security.
At this stage, the initiative remains the subject of international discussion. Kazakhstan has presented its conceptual approaches and is conducting consultations, while the final model of any future organization would need to be shaped through further dialogue among interested countries and institutions.
Next Stage of Talks Will Continue on UN Platforms
Following the meeting, participants expressed interest in jointly advancing the water agenda within the United Nations and strengthening multilateral cooperation in this field.
For Kazakhstan, the meeting in Mongolia became another step in a series of international consultations. After Astana, Nairobi, New York and Ulaanbaatar, the water initiative is expected to enter a new stage of discussion at the UN Water Conference in Abu Dhabi.
Earlier, we reported on Kazakhstan presenting Tokayev’s water initiative to the Mongolian side ahead of COP17.
