Kazakhstan is investing to tackle Central Asia water crisis
Kazakhstan, the region's largest country by landmass and a key downstream player, has moved to the forefront of efforts to address the mounting environmental and geopolitical pressures.
More than 44 per cent of Kazakhstan's river water originates from outside its borders, flowing in from upstream neighbours like China, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan.
With climate change accelerating glacial retreat in the Tian Shan and Altai ranges, and water-intensive agriculture still dominant, the country faces complex challenges in balancing domestic needs with fragile transboundary relations.
Profound effects
The latest UN World Water Development Report 2025 warns of severe impacts if current trends continue.
Bhanu Neupane of UNESCO's Division of Water Sciences said, 'The report reminds us that the fate of mountains and glaciers is somehow intertwined with the fate of humanity. These are not distant environmental concerns, but existential issues.'
In Kazakhstan's southern regions, glacier melt accounts for up to 90 per cent of river flow, critical for irrigation and drinking water alike. The country's water-intensive sectors, particularly agriculture, contribute heavily to the strain.
'This figure is even higher than 72 per cent for agricultural uses in Kazakhstan… while placing mounting pressure around snow and glacier-fed rivers like Syrdarya and Illi,' Neupane added.
Reforms to support adaptation
To meet this challenge, Kazakhstan is undertaking sweeping reforms.
At the Astana International Forum in May, Deputy Prime Minister Kanat Bozumbayev announced major infrastructure investments, including 42 new reservoirs, 30 reconstructions and the overhaul of more than 14,000 kilometres of irrigation canals.
A new digital water platform, hydro.gov.kz, will centralise real-time data. Subsidies for water-saving technologies such as sprinkler and drip irrigation systems have been raised to 80 per cent.
'Kazakhstan views water not only as a natural resource, but also as a powerful driver of cooperation, sustainable development and regional stability,' Bozumbayev stated.
In June, the country also adopted a new Water Code, seen as a legislative turning point. It introduces concepts such as 'water security' and 'ecological flow', mandates basin-level planning, and strengthens protections for small rivers, glaciers and wetlands.
'These are the recognition of water as an integral part of the environment, the basis of citizens' life and economic development… the introduction of water-saving technologies and adaptation to climate change,' explained Water Resources Minister Nurzhan Nurzhigitov.
Regional collaboration
Across the region, cooperation is gaining new momentum. The five Central Asian states reached a new water-sharing agreement for the Syr Darya and Amu Darya rivers.
Tajikistan, which holds more than half of the region's glaciers, is leading with investments in early warning systems and nature-based solutions. This includes glacial lake monitoring, slope reforestation and pilot solar-powered drip irrigation systems in highland farms.
Digital tools are also transforming management.
River basin forecasting platforms now integrate climate, hydrological and crop data, allowing basin authorities in Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan to optimise irrigation schedules and reservoir releases.
Still, gaps remain in cross-border sharing and governance. 'Water does not stop at borders – but the data often does,' regional experts warned in a recent opinion piece.
Support from international partners
The European Union is playing a key supporting role. At the 17th Kazakhstan-EU Dialogue Platform in June, both sides reaffirmed their commitment to sustainable water management.
Germany pledged support for transboundary cooperation under the Green Central Asia initiative, while the Netherlands proposed a desalination plant in Aktau and a regional flood early warning system.
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is also investing heavily in resilience. Following the devastating floods in 2024, it supported the launch of a flood early warning system for key basins and is now expanding it to include drought forecasting.
In partnership with local authorities, the UN agency has helped develop water management plans for Lake Balkhash and secured climate finance for dam safety, including a $2 million grant from Japan.
The Asian Development Bank's 'Glaciers to Farms' programme, which aims to mobilise up to $3.5 billion in regional investments, supports this transition. ADB Director Yasmin Siddiqi stressed the need for smarter infrastructure and shared incentives.
'Future investment must avoid repeating past mistakes. They must result in less water use overall through efficiency gains. We need smarter water infrastructure,' she said, calling for immediate action in the region.
As Central Asia races to adapt to a future shaped by climate volatility and shrinking glaciers, Kazakhstan's efforts demonstrate both the promise and the complexity of developing sustainable solutions.
Whether it is building dams, rewriting laws or digitising river management, the success of one country is inseparable from the fate of its neighbours.
[Edited By Brian Maguire | Euractiv's Advocacy Lab ]
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Euractiv
5 days ago
- Euractiv
EXCLUSIVE: Egypt eyes guarantees for tourist resort in deal on Greek monastery
ATHENS – The Egyptian government is seeking guarantees to build a massive tourist resort around one of Christianity's oldest living sites, according to a document seen by Euractiv. The 6th-century Greek Orthodox monastery of Saint Catherine, designated by UNESCO as a site of 'outstanding universal value,' sits at the foot of Mount Sinai in Egypt's desert south. In May, it lost its land rights after an Egyptian court ordered that they be transferred to the state. Within days of the ruling, Euractiv was granted exclusive access to the monastery, where monks and local Bedouins said they prayed the site would withstand this latest challenge. Following the court ruling, the foreign ministers of Greece and Egypt met several times and agreed to seek a permanent solution, with an announcement expected soon. Athens has always seen the monastery's legal status as non-negotiable, and a draft framework agreement seen by Euractiv – still subject to change – reflects that, stating its religious character would be preserved, monks could continue their rituals, and the monastery would keep ownership of its premises. But the same document also guarantees Egypt the 'ability to implement its future plans aimed at sustainable development as one of the objectives of the modern Egyptian state.' Cairo has previously said those plans include developing the area into a tourist resort. Monks, for their part, fear such plans would eventually drive them out. 'The government plan to build massive hotels surrounding the monastery [is] going to destroy the holy land that has survived for centuries,' a source from the Greek Orthodox Church told Euractiv on condition of anonymity. The monastery's special autonomous regime has been recognised by a long line of rulers, from Islamic caliphates to the Ottoman Empire, allowing it to endure as one of the world's oldest continuously operating Christian sites. And the bulldozers may not be far away: according to the activist organisation World Heritage Watch, Egypt is already building development projects around the area, and ongoing construction is in breach of the UNESCO World Heritage Convention. The timing is also politically sensitive. Egypt is in the middle of a campaign for the post of UNESCO Director-General for 2025–2029, putting forward former Tourism Minister Khaled al-Anani, who has the backing of both the League of Arab States and the African Union. A sticking point in the draft agreement is also what happens to the monastery's treasure trove – everything from gilded icons to centuries-old manuscripts. Under the text, Egyptian authorities would get a say in how they're looked after, 'under the provisions of the Antiquities Protection Law.' That's ringing alarm bells for some, who see it as giving the state control over sacred objects belonging to a minority faith. Other religious groups, including the Copts, have voiced similar concerns. A controversial court case Egypt's May ruling is believed to have originated from a case brought by individuals linked to the Muslim Brotherhood, an Islamist organisation founded in Egypt in the 1920s and frequently criticised for its rigid beliefs Though the Muslim Brotherhood has been outlawed by Egypt's military regime, it continues to wield influence in the country. Regarding the case of St Catherine's, however, its interests dovetail with those of the government, if for different reasons Despite their political enmity, the case was supported by President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi because he is keen to expand Egypt's tourism sector. Inside the monastery, however, the 15 resident monks have questioned the very basis of the legal case. After the ruling, they removed their abbot, Damianos, arguing he had represented them in court without their knowledge or consent. 'The monks' Sinai monastic community is the most ancient democratic system, and it should have been present at the court – not Damianos as an individual,' said a source familiar with the matter. European Commission on alert In Brussels, EU officials say they're keeping a close eye on the row, in line with the new Commission's focus on relations with Mediterranean neighbours and the knock-on effects for migration. Athens and Cairo have previously worked together on migration coordination and energy projects. Greece also needs to maintain positive relations with Egypt, which is a strategic ally for Greece in the often volatile eastern Mediterranean. When asked how Brussels plans to protect the Monastery in light of Egypt's tourism project, an EU spokesperson told Euractiv that the Commission will continue to follow the matter and 'the commitments made by the government of Egypt, in close coordination with our member states.' 'The Egyptian authorities informed European ambassadors that the government remains fully committed to preserving the monastery's religious, historical, and spiritual status, emphasising that monks' access is unaffected and that the court ruling formally protects the site for the first time,' they added. (mm)
Euractiv
19-07-2025
- Euractiv
Russian drone strike kills one in Ukraine's Odesa
A Russian drone attack on the Ukrainian port city of Odesa killed at least one person, its mayor said early Saturday, while Moscow said it intercepted dozens of Ukrainian drones. "Odesa was attacked by enemy strike drones -- more than 20 UAVs approached the city from different directions," Mayor Gennadiy Trukhanov wrote on Telegram. "Civilian infrastructure was damaged as a result of the attack. A residential high-rise building is on fire," and rescuers were pulling people out, he said. "As of now, it has been confirmed that one person died," he added. The Odesa region's emergency service said later that five people were rescued from burning apartments but "one rescued woman died". The Black Sea port, known for its picturesque streets of 19th-century buildings, has been regularly targeted by Russian strikes in the more than three-year war. The southern city's historic centre is on UNESCO's World Heritage List. The Russian defence ministry, meanwhile, said its air defence systems destroyed 87 Ukrainian drones in a five-hour period Friday evening, including 48 over the Bryansk region bordering northern Ukraine, and five over the Moscow region. Russia has escalated long-range aerial attacks on Ukrainian cities as well as frontline assaults and shelling over recent weeks, defying US President Donald Trump's warning that Moscow could face massive new sanctions if no peace deal is struck. Ukrainian authorities said Friday that Russian strikes killed at least six people across the country's east and south. The European Union and Britain on Friday sought to ramp up economic pressure on Russia to halt the war by slashing a price cap meant to choke off revenues from key oil exports. The move from the EU was part of a sweeping new package of sanctions that also took aim at Moscow's banking sector and military capabilities. (aw)
Euractiv
14-07-2025
- Euractiv
Kazakhstan is investing to tackle Central Asia water crisis
As glaciers melt and river flows diminish, Central Asia faces a growing water crisis that is testing regional cooperation, climate resilience and governance capacity. Kazakhstan, the region's largest country by landmass and a key downstream player, has moved to the forefront of efforts to address the mounting environmental and geopolitical pressures. More than 44 per cent of Kazakhstan's river water originates from outside its borders, flowing in from upstream neighbours like China, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan. With climate change accelerating glacial retreat in the Tian Shan and Altai ranges, and water-intensive agriculture still dominant, the country faces complex challenges in balancing domestic needs with fragile transboundary relations. Profound effects The latest UN World Water Development Report 2025 warns of severe impacts if current trends continue. Bhanu Neupane of UNESCO's Division of Water Sciences said, 'The report reminds us that the fate of mountains and glaciers is somehow intertwined with the fate of humanity. These are not distant environmental concerns, but existential issues.' In Kazakhstan's southern regions, glacier melt accounts for up to 90 per cent of river flow, critical for irrigation and drinking water alike. The country's water-intensive sectors, particularly agriculture, contribute heavily to the strain. 'This figure is even higher than 72 per cent for agricultural uses in Kazakhstan… while placing mounting pressure around snow and glacier-fed rivers like Syrdarya and Illi,' Neupane added. Reforms to support adaptation To meet this challenge, Kazakhstan is undertaking sweeping reforms. At the Astana International Forum in May, Deputy Prime Minister Kanat Bozumbayev announced major infrastructure investments, including 42 new reservoirs, 30 reconstructions and the overhaul of more than 14,000 kilometres of irrigation canals. A new digital water platform, will centralise real-time data. Subsidies for water-saving technologies such as sprinkler and drip irrigation systems have been raised to 80 per cent. 'Kazakhstan views water not only as a natural resource, but also as a powerful driver of cooperation, sustainable development and regional stability,' Bozumbayev stated. In June, the country also adopted a new Water Code, seen as a legislative turning point. It introduces concepts such as 'water security' and 'ecological flow', mandates basin-level planning, and strengthens protections for small rivers, glaciers and wetlands. 'These are the recognition of water as an integral part of the environment, the basis of citizens' life and economic development… the introduction of water-saving technologies and adaptation to climate change,' explained Water Resources Minister Nurzhan Nurzhigitov. Regional collaboration Across the region, cooperation is gaining new momentum. The five Central Asian states reached a new water-sharing agreement for the Syr Darya and Amu Darya rivers. Tajikistan, which holds more than half of the region's glaciers, is leading with investments in early warning systems and nature-based solutions. This includes glacial lake monitoring, slope reforestation and pilot solar-powered drip irrigation systems in highland farms. Digital tools are also transforming management. River basin forecasting platforms now integrate climate, hydrological and crop data, allowing basin authorities in Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan to optimise irrigation schedules and reservoir releases. Still, gaps remain in cross-border sharing and governance. 'Water does not stop at borders – but the data often does,' regional experts warned in a recent opinion piece. Support from international partners The European Union is playing a key supporting role. At the 17th Kazakhstan-EU Dialogue Platform in June, both sides reaffirmed their commitment to sustainable water management. Germany pledged support for transboundary cooperation under the Green Central Asia initiative, while the Netherlands proposed a desalination plant in Aktau and a regional flood early warning system. The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is also investing heavily in resilience. Following the devastating floods in 2024, it supported the launch of a flood early warning system for key basins and is now expanding it to include drought forecasting. In partnership with local authorities, the UN agency has helped develop water management plans for Lake Balkhash and secured climate finance for dam safety, including a $2 million grant from Japan. The Asian Development Bank's 'Glaciers to Farms' programme, which aims to mobilise up to $3.5 billion in regional investments, supports this transition. ADB Director Yasmin Siddiqi stressed the need for smarter infrastructure and shared incentives. 'Future investment must avoid repeating past mistakes. They must result in less water use overall through efficiency gains. We need smarter water infrastructure,' she said, calling for immediate action in the region. As Central Asia races to adapt to a future shaped by climate volatility and shrinking glaciers, Kazakhstan's efforts demonstrate both the promise and the complexity of developing sustainable solutions. Whether it is building dams, rewriting laws or digitising river management, the success of one country is inseparable from the fate of its neighbours. [Edited By Brian Maguire | Euractiv's Advocacy Lab ]
