Water has moved to the forefront. Kazakhstan and Switzerland plan to deepen practical cooperation across several areas, ranging from water management and environmental protection to transport and pharmaceuticals, DKNews.kz reports.
These issues were discussed by Arman Issetov, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan, and Giorgio Pompilio, Chargé d’Affaires of the Swiss Confederation in Kazakhstan, during a meeting marking the end of Pompilio’s diplomatic mission in Astana. The meeting took place on August 25, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan.
Water Becomes a Separate Track in Kazakhstan-Switzerland Relations
One of the central topics of the talks was the Blue Peace Central Asia initiative. It focuses on cooperation in water management and environmental issues and is gradually becoming a distinct practical dimension of relations between Kazakhstan and Switzerland.
The cooperation goes beyond diplomatic consultations. Kazakhstan and Switzerland previously formalized their engagement under the program when Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation and the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation, SDC, signed a memorandum on Blue Peace Central Asia.
The initiative includes data management, research, professional training and the creation of dialogue platforms on water resource management.
For Central Asia, the issue has a clear practical dimension. Water systems across the region are closely interconnected, meaning decisions taken in one country can affect agriculture, energy and water availability in neighboring states.
Switzerland Invested $35.8 Billion in Kazakhstan Over 20 Years
Behind the water agenda lies a much broader economic foundation for bilateral relations.
According to Kazakhstan’s Foreign Ministry, Swiss investment in the country reached $35.8 billion over the past 20 years. Trade between the two countries totaled $1.2 billion in the first ten months of 2025.
These figures help explain why the Issetov-Pompilio meeting covered more than environmental projects. The two sides specifically identified transport, pharmaceuticals and environmental cooperation as areas where practical partnership should continue to develop steadily.
For Kazakhstan, this structure of cooperation is also important in terms of technology and equipment imports. Official materials describe Switzerland as a supplier of high-tech products, medical devices and sophisticated equipment, while Kazakhstan primarily exports raw materials and energy-related commodities.
Pharmaceuticals and Transport Remain on the Practical Agenda
The inclusion of pharmaceuticals in Pompilio’s final meeting was not accidental. Kazakhstan is interested in expanding cooperation beyond traditional commodity sectors and into industries with higher added value.
Transport is also already part of the bilateral business agenda. Kazakhstan and representatives of Swiss companies have previously discussed projects in the transport and logistics sector, as well as opportunities to develop production and infrastructure.
In June 2026, the Kazakhstan Commodity Forum in Geneva brought together around 200 representatives of government institutions, financial organizations and major international companies, including businesses from the transport and logistics sectors.
This shows that the economic dialogue between Astana and Switzerland extends well beyond formal diplomatic meetings.
Environment Becomes Another Channel for Technology and Investment
The Swiss dimension is also visible in Kazakhstan’s environmental modernization agenda.
In 2026, the two sides discussed cooperation on climate policy, sustainable natural resource management and biodiversity conservation. Switzerland also supports Central Asian countries through mechanisms linked to the Global Environment Facility.
Swiss companies have expertise in water purification, waste management, energy efficiency, decarbonization, renewable energy and sustainable urban development.
These sectors have also been considered in the context of introducing technologies to the Kazakh and wider Caspian markets.
That is why the reference in Astana to the “stable development of practical partnership” covers areas where cooperation can translate into specific technologies, equipment and projects.
Pompilio’s Mission Ends, but the Agenda Remains
The meeting was among Giorgio Pompilio’s final engagements in Kazakhstan in his current diplomatic capacity.
Arman Issetov thanked the Swiss diplomat for his contribution to strengthening bilateral ties and wished him success in his future diplomatic work.
The end of his mission does not alter the agenda already established between Astana and Bern. The main priorities are clear: water, environmental cooperation, transport and pharmaceuticals, backed by tens of billions of dollars in accumulated Swiss investment.
We previously reported on how Kazakhstan and Switzerland advanced their cooperation and formalized engagement under the Blue Peace Central Asia program. Water diplomacy was also among the key outcomes at that stage.
