Section 5
Key water developments in the countries of Central Asia

5.1. Republic of Kazakhstan

Water Sector

Water resources. There are 85 thousand rivers, with the largest of them the Irtysh, Ishim, Ural, Syr Darya, Ile, Chu, Tobol, and 48 thousand large and small lakes in Kazakhstan. The largest lakes are the Caspian Sea and the Aral Sea, followed by Balkhash, Zaisan and Alakol lakes. Glaciers are one of major sources of river water. The total quantity of water in rivers is 101 km³, of which 57 km³ are formed within the republican boundaries. The remaining quantity the country gets from neighboring countries: Russia – 8 km³; China – 19 km³; Uzbekistan – 15 km³; Kyrgyzstan – 3 km³. The available water supply in Kazakhstan is 37 thousand m³/km2 or 6 thousand m³ per inhabitant a year.

Latest developments in legislation. (1) Law on amending and supplementing the Water Code of Kazakhstan in part of division of powers between local and central authorities in subsidizing drinking water supply (411-VI of 25.01.2021); Law on ratification of the Protocol for the protection of the Caspian Sea against pollution from land-based sources and activities to the Framework Convention for the protection of the marine environment of the Caspian Sea (71 of 01.11.2021);

(2) Resolutions of the Government of Kazakhstan: on amending and supplementing the Resolution on the list of hydrostructures of strategic importance that can be leased or transferred to fiduciary management (214 of 07.04.2021 and 379 of 04.06.2021); on implementation of the Investment Agreement for establishment of a network of demonstration farms and construction of a plant for production of irrigation facilities together with the VALLEY KUSTO GB BV (768 of 26.10.2021);

(3) Resolution of the Kostanai province Akimat (government) on approval of the list of particularly important local water supply systems as having no alternative option for the province (221 of 04.04.2021) and of the Karaganda province Akimat on establishment of water buffer zones in Balkhash Lake around Zelyoniy island and mode of their use (33/03 of 17.05.2021);

(4) Orders by: the Minister of Finance on amending the Order 404 of March 26, 2018, on approval of the format of information about the users who pay for surface water, animals, forests, and specially protected natural territories (508 of 31.05.2021); the Minister of Ecology, Geology and Natural Resources approving the Safety criteria of water systems and structures (172 of 02.06.2021) and the Rules for setting standards of admissible anthropogenic impact on water sites (254 of 16.07.2021); the Minister of Industry and Infrastructure Development on approval of the methodology for charging one cubic meter of drinking water supplied for population from particularly important group or local water supply systems having no alternative (470 of 27.08.2021).

New appointments. S. Bekeshev has been appointed the Minister of Ecology, Geology and Natural Resources of Kazakhstan by Presidential Decree (657 of 10.09.2021).

Results of the growing season. The south of Kazakhstan faced again drought in 2021. To overcome the situation, the irrigation queue was set, additional pumps were installed, and drainage water was put into re-use. Additionally, the acreage under water-intensive crops was reduced: cotton – by 17.9 thousand ha in Turkestan province; rice – by 7.1 thousand ha and 2.4 thousand ha in Kyzylorda and Almaty provinces, respectively. By the beginning of the growing season, the Toktogul reservoir was 52% full of the norm. As a result of negotiations with the upstream countries in the Syr Darya Basin (Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan), farmers in Turkestan and Kyzylorda provinces has got additional 700 Mm³ of water (by 24% more than in 2020) from the Toktogul reservoir and the Bakhri Tojik reservoir. The Kirov reservoir (Talas River, Kyrgyzstan) accumulated 20% less water than in 2020. Small inflow into the Orto-Tokoy reservoir (Shu River, Kyrgyzstan) was observed during the growing season due to low temperatures in mountains. Negotiations with the Kyrgyz side allowed supplying peasant farms in Zhambyl province with irrigation water.

Water infrastructure. 60% of 3,298 irrigation networks extending to about 20 thousand km is in poor condition. Reconstruction of this poor network is performed on regular basis. Over 2019-2020, 1,734 km of canals were repaired and 111.5 thousand ha of irrigated land were put into use, while in 2021, these were 1,050 km of canals and 78 thousand ha of irrigated land, respectively. Reconstruction and repair of 42-Mm³ Kyzylgash reservoir, re-conservation of 2-MW Nurly-Shyrak HPP, and construction of the Kensai-Koskorgan-2 reservoir in Turkestan province were completed.

Projects. In Turkestan province, (1) first pilot project on digitization of 12-km long K-19 main canal (Makhtaaral district) was implemented. This helped to detect water over-use up to 45% of irrigation. The 2021-2025 plan of automation was prepared for 119 main canals, with the total water diversion of about 6 km³ and the total length of 2,830 km, in Almaty, Zhambyl, Turkestan and Kyzylorda provinces. Briefing for Kazakh companies wishing to participate in the tender for irrigation canal automation projects was held; (2) the project "Improvement of irrigation and drainage systems, phase 2" (PUID-2) aimed to improve water availability and conditions of 62.3 thousand ha of irrigated land is implemented. The project will help to reduce 199 million m³ of water losses annually, increase water availability for crops from 65% to 100% and create 12,400 new jobs.

USAID Central Asia water and vulnerable environment project, which is to strengthen regional capacities for management of water resources and reduction of environmental risks in Syr Darya and Amu Darya basins, has been continued. First meeting of the regional steering committee was held in Almaty on November 6.

Capacity building. A training workshop was organized on “Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation in Central Asia: Climate Change, Water Security and Governance” for young civil servants of Central Asia and Afghanistan, with the support of OSCE Program Office in Nur-Sultan and CAREC on September 21-22. The training was also held for the staff of district water organizations belonging to Almaty, Zhambyl, Turkestan and Kyzylorda branches of RGP “Kazvodkhoz” on October 19 to build capacities of more than 3,000 staff-members (KazNIIVH training base, Taraz).

Kazakh experts took part in the international conference “Promoting regional water sector dialogue and cooperation in Central Asia through knowledge networking, partnerships and education” held annually as part of CAWEP (online, March 3-4).

Events. The MEGNR organized a meeting with water sector long-service employees, scholars, and representatives of SIC ICWC, Institute of Geography and Water Security, and KazNIIVH to address the issues of water development ( November 11).

Interstate cooperation. In 2021, Kazakhstan took part in: 80th (May 11) and 81st (December 7) meetings of ICWC (see ICWC Meetings); IFAS Board meeting (Dushanbe, June 29); and, 4th (online, May 27), 5th (Dushanbe, October 18), and extraordinary meetings (online, August 16) of the Working group on institutional and legal improvement of IFAS (see International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea).

Among other meetings held as part of interstate water cooperation were: (1) 28th meeting of the Kazakh-Kyrgyz Chu-Talas River Commission to agree upon the operation modes of reservoirs, schedules of water conveyance along interstate canals and the Strategic Action Program (April); (2) 4th meeting of the Uzbek-Kazakh joint Working Group on environment and water quality in the Syr Darya basin, after which the 2022 Work Plan was adopted (December 13); meetings with relevant ministries of riparian countries: Tajikistan - an agreement was reached on additional releases of 315 million m³ of water from the Bakhri Tojik reservoir over June-August 2021; Uzbekistan - water releases from the interstate Dostyk canal were increased for farmers in Turkestan province, an agreement was reached to increase inflow into the Shardara reservoir, a draft Interstate agreement on transboundary water sharing and the preparation to the growing season 2021 were discussed; Russian Federation - progress on Kazakh-Russian cooperation programs for ecosystem conservation and restoration in transboundary Ural and Irtysh basins was considered, a water-related situation in the Zhayik basin was considered and an agreement was reached on daily exchange of data on operation regimes of Irikla, Aktyubinsk, and Kargala reservoirs; Kyrgyz Republic – progressing of the growing season 2021 in the Syr Darya, Chu and Talas basins was reviewed, topical aspects of cooperation under the Chu-Talas Commission and a need for an agreement on the Chumysh waterworks facility were discussed, the dates and amounts of electricity re-delivery by the Kyrgyz party to Kazakhstan as part of water-energy exchange were agreed upon, etc. See also Bilateral Water Cooperation between the Countries of Central Asia.

Drinking Water Supply

Construction of new and reconstruction of old water supply systems were continued as part of the Kazakhstan’s 2020-2025 State Housing and Communal Development Program. A fully automated water supply system equipped with up-to-date facilities and energy-saving units has been launched in Turkistan. In 2021, a water conduit and intake structures from the Kishkentay aquifer were constructed to supply Makinsk town in Akmola province, a group water mains were put into operation in two settlements in Aktyubinsk province, and the freshwater group water mains were reconstructed in North-Kazakhstan province.

Free interactive map of rural water supply showing the information on access to water, financing availability and needs, population, network extension and deterioration, and other aspects has been launched (https://auylsu.kz/provision).

Agriculture

In 2021, the gross agricultural production was 7515433.5 million KZT, including 4387236.5 million KZT from crop production and 3116973.5 million KZT from animal husbandy.

Latest developments in legislation. (1) Laws: on amending national legislative enactments on the cotton sector and invalidating the law on cotton sector development (409-VI of 05.01.2021); on amending and supplementing some national legislative enactments on land relations (39-VII of 13.05.2021 and 59-VII of 30.06.2021).

(2) Resolutions of the Government of Kazakhstan: on amending Resolution 172 of 2009 on approval of the Rules for translation of land within the especially protected natural territories into the reserve land (607 of 03.09.2021); on approval of the national agroindustry development project for 2021-2025 (732 of 12.10.2021); on amending Resolution 1071 of 2003 on approval of maximum sizes of agricultural land plots within one administrative district (city) that can be owned by a Republican citizen for farming purposes, a non-state legal person of the Republic and its affiliated persons for agricultural commodity production purposes and that can be leased by foreigners, persons without citizenship and foreign legal persons for agricultural commodity production purposes (839 of 24.11.2021); on approval of the Concept of agro-industry development in Kazakhstan for 2021-2030 (960 of 30.12.2021).

The Fisheries Development Program 2021-2030 was approved by Governmental Resolution 208 of 04.05.2021 to supply population with fish products and create conditions for development of fishery (aquaculture). Another Governmental Resolution (732 of 12.10.2021) approved the National Project for agro-industry development in Kazakhstan for 2021-2025. The Project aims to create competitive agro-industrial sector by increasing productivity 2.5 times, increasing exports of agro-industrial products 2 times and providing domestically the socially important foodstuffs.

A Land Reform Commission was established for deliberations on the draft Land Code of Kazakhstan and to develop proposals on the improvement of land legislation. A draft Law on individual subsidiary farming (PP RK 985 of 31.12.2021) is under debate.

State strategies and programs. In 2021, as part of the State agro-industry development program in Kazakhstan for 2017-2021 (PP RK 423 of 12.07.2018), a steady inflow of investments in agriculture was continued: investments increased by 33.3% and amounted to 773.2 billion KZT, and food production increased by 3.1% and amounted to 114.4 billion KZT. Labor productivity per person employed in agriculture was 2,153.5 thousand KZT for 9 months (1,823.5 thousand KZT for 9 months of 2020). The state program for productive employment and mass entrepreneurship development for 2017 - 2021 (PP RK 746 of 13.11.2018) allocated 20 billion KZT from the republican budget and 15.3 billion KZT from the national fund. These funds were used in full: 11,118 loans were given and 9,051 jobs were created.

As part of the 2025 National Development Plan, National priority 8 “Build diversified and innovative economy”, Task 5 “Agro-industrial reformation for adaptation to new context”, the Concept of agro-industry development in Kazakhstan for 2021–2030 was developed and adopted. The agro-industrial reforms will be focused on: re-orientation of associated cost policies to achieve the long-term competitiveness; knowledge and digitization as drivers of productivity; value chains.

Agro-industry reform and modernization. By the end of 2021, more than 67.7 billion KZT of budget funds (65%) was allocated for subsidizing agricultural machinery, about 13.3 billion KZT (13%) subsidized investment projects in animal husbandry, and 23 billion KZT (22%) was directed to support crop production projects.

The Ministry of Agriculture approved the list of insurance products in agro-industry, including on the index of soil moisture deficit and soil moisture excess. Farmers can ensure the safety of their capital with the Agroinsurance information system (www.qoldau.kz/). In 2021, insurance companies provided insurance for 144.8 thousand ha of crops (121.3 thousand ha against drought and 23.5 thousand ha against moisture excess). Agricultural producers received 825 million KZT under 92 insurance contracts.

The RS monitoring of agricultural land use has been introduced countrywide since January 2021. Measures have been taken to return wasteland to the state: preliminary, 22.4 million ha have been identified in the Republic and 3.2 million ha were returned to the state property.

Digitization of agriculture is underway: (1) Kazakh agrarian universities together with leading IT universities have introduced curricula for training of agricultural staff in digital skills (Digital agrosystems, Bio-informatics, Agro-informatics); (2) Kazakh Beeline has developed the Egistic digital product (https://egistic.kz/), which helps to timely respond to emergencies and adjust crop or animal production schedules, analyzes RS-data, identifies hotspots at field level, and provides recommendations on differentiated fertilization.

International cooperation. An investment agreement was signed with the Valmont Industries to create in Kazakhstan a network of demonstration farms and construct a plant for manufacturing of modern irrigation systems.

The National Agrarian Research Education Center and Belorussian Agrarian Technical University have signed the cooperation agreement in the field of research, education and training.

Agricultural ministers of Kazakhstan and Hungary signed the Memorandum of Understanding, which provided for the establishment of an International Kazakh-Hungarian Center for Agro-industrial Innovations on the base of National Agrarian Research University of Kazakhstan (KazNAIU). The Minister of agriculture and the WB have agreed to cooperate under the technical assistance to agricultural development.

A "Smart Greenhouse" based on South Korean technology was created at the educational experimental farm of KazNAIU.

Events. Among the events organized in 2021, the following can be cited: (1) International scientific-practical conference "Current problems of agro-science in adaptation context" (June 17-18); (2) International specialized agricultural exhibition “AgriTek Astana” (June 23-25). The Minister of Agriculture participated in the 3rd Meeting of Central Asian Ministers of Agriculture on March 15.

Energy

As of January 2022, the total installed capacity was 23.959 thousand MW (23.55 in 2020), while the available capacity was 20.2 thousand MW (20.04 in 2020). In January-December, energy generation amounted to 114.4 billion kWh (by 5.8% more than in 2020), including 91.16 billion kWh by thermal stations, 10.7 billion kWh by gas-turbine thermal stations, 9.18 billion kWh by hydropower plants, 1.76 billion kWh by wind stations, 1.64 billion kWh by solar stations, and 0.0025 billion kWh by biogas installations. Consumption increased by 6% as compared to 2020 and amounted to 113.89 billion kWh. Electricity exports reached 2.65 billion kWh (1.33 to Russia and 1.32 to CA), while imports were 2.09 billion kWh (1.79 and 0.31, respectively).

By orders of the Minister of Energy, changes were made to the: Development Plan of the Ministry of Energy for 2020-2024 (345 of 11.11.2021); Tariffication rules to support renewables (252 of 31.07.2022); Rules for centralized purchase and sale by the Financial Settlement Center of electricity generated from renewables, waste utilization and flood energy (252 of 30.04.2021). The forecast balances of electricity and capacities have been also approved for 2022-2028 (16 of 14.01.22).

New appointments. M.M. Mirzagaliev was appointed Minister of Energy by UP RK 655 of 09.09.2021.

Hydropower. The total hydropower potential of 170 billion kWh a year in Kazakhstan is formed by river basins of Irtysh (Bukhtarma, Shulbinsk, Ust-Kamenogorsk HPPs), Ily (Kapshagai, Moynak HPPs) and Syr Darya, Talas and Chu (Shardara HPP). The technically feasible potential is 62 billion kWh, of which 30 billion kWh are estimated as economically feasible. Charyn, Chilik, Karatal, Koksu, Tetek, Khorgos, Tekes, Talgar, Usek, Aksu and Lepsy rivers are most promising for hydropower construction.

According to the 2020-2030 Hydropower Development Plan: (1) Turgus-1 and 2 on the Chazha River and HPP on the Keles River, with commissioning 90 MW in 2021, are to be completed; (2) by 2030, the installed capacity of operating HPPs is to be increased by 464 MW and the total volume of operating HPPs is to be raised by 6 km3; (3) 1 500 MW of small hydropower and 1 300 MW of large hydropower are to be commissioned by 2030.

AO Samruk-Energy started constructing a counter-regulating 40-MW Kerbulak HPP on the Ily River (2021-2026) downstream of Kapshagai HPP to increase regulating capacity of the latter to 300 MW, balance non-uniform weekly and daily water releases and compensate peak loads in the capacity- and energy deficit Almaty energy system and South Kazakhstan energy zone.

Thermal power. Thermal power stations still dominate in the national energy balance contributing 88% to generation (including gas-turbine stations).

Alternative energy sources. In 2021, power generation from renewables amounted to 4.22 billion kWh (by 30.1% more than in 2020). Kazakhstan has 134 RES facilities (19 new facilities were commissioned in 2021), with the total capacity of 2,010 MW (wind - 684; solar –1038; small hydropower – 280; bio - 8). It is planned to commission 10 facilities with the total capacity of 290.6 MW by the end of 2022. RES potential in Kazakhstan is estimated as follows: wind - 920 billion kWh/yr; hydro - 62 billion kWh/yr; solar – 2.5 billion kWh/yr; geothermal – 4.3 GW.

To develop alternative energy and convert the half of total country consumption to alternative and renewable sources by 2050 , the Consultation document of regulatory policy to the draft law on alternative energy development was developed.

Small hydropower. In 2021, generation by small hydropower decreased by 18% as compared to 2020 and amounted to 799.7 million kWh.

As part of One Belt, One Road, the Turgusun HPP was put into operation in Altay mountains, East-Kazakhstan province in 2021. The total installed capacity of the plant is 24.9 MW, and the average annual generation is 79.8 million kWh. The 25.8-MW HPP-2 on the Chazha River was commissioned in Almaty province.

AO Samruk-Energy conducts the pre-design work on construction of HPP-29. Also, reconstruction and modernization of the hydropower cascade in Almaty province is planned for 2022-2028 for more efficient utilization of hydro-resources of the Bolshaya Almatinka River.

Solar power took the second position among RES by generation in 2021 – 1,641 million kWh (38.9%). 50-MW Shoktas station with the forecast annual production of 102,000 MWh and 10-MW Kushata station to generate 20,100 MWh annually were commissioned by the Khevel company group in Turkistan province. The solar stations would allow avoiding 62,000 t of CO₂ emissions.

Wind power was the leader by generation in 2021 - 1776 million kWh (42.1% of green generation). This is 61% more than in 2020.

The 50-MW Ybyray station was commissioned in Kostanai province and 48-MW Badamsha-2 was launched in Aktyubinsk province. In 2021, AO Samruk-Energy implemented solar projects with the established capacities from 45 MW to 60 MW in Almaty and Akmolinsk provinces.

Events. For the first time in CA, Kazakhstan hosted the World Energy Week 2021: Energy for better lives in Nur-Sultan in October 4-8.

International cooperation. A memorandum of cooperation was signed with EBRD for development and implementation of the long-term Power and Gas Infrastructure Development Strategy aimed to ensure carbon neutrality of power and gas infrastructure in Kazakhstan by 2060. Agreements were reached with the Arabian ADQ and French “Тotal Energies” on gradual commissioning of new RES capacities of 5 GW in the near decade. Such joint investment project will help to reduce emissions by 8 million t, generate additional 20 billion kWh of green energy, and create 3 thousand jobs.

Environment and Climate Change

Latest developments in legislation. The new Environmental Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan went into effect in January 2021. This latest edition provides for the stronger responsibility of industrial enterprises for environmental pollution, the waste management hierarchy, and the construction of plants for waste-to-energy. Laws were adopted on amending and supplementing the Code on administrative offences in environmental area (403-VI of 02.01.2021) and on ratification of the Protocol on environmental impact assessment in a transboundary context in the Caspian Sea Region to the Framework Convention for the Protection of the Marine Environment of the Caspian Sea (66-VII of 04.10.2021).

The national project “Green Kazakhstan” was approved in October 2021 for environmental improvement in the Republic. The Project includes four directions: (1) Clean Kazakhstan, for air quality improvement, sustainable waste management, and aquatic ecosystem conservation; (2) Economical Kazakhstan, for better productivity through water saving and energy efficiency; (3) Nature, for development of especially protected nature territories, restoration of rare and endangered fauna, conservation of fish and other aquatic animals, and preservation of forests; (4) Future of ecology, for mainstreaming of environmental aspects in education and formation of ecologically oriented information space.

Strategies. The ongoing strategy “Kazakhstan 2050: new policy course of the established state” sets clear targets for building sustainable and effective economy based on green transition.

Progress in implementation of the Concept for green transition of Kazakhstan for 2021-2030 was discussed at the roundtable “Green economy – a paradigm of innovative and sustainable development in Kazakhstan” on May 25 and at the meeting of the Council for Green Transition in June.

A draft Doctrine (Strategy) for the achievement of carbon neutrality in Kazakhstan by 2060 was presented at the international conference “Ways for achievement of Paris Agreement goals and carbon neutrality by Kazakhstan” on October 13 in Nur-Sultan. The Strategy includes the analysis of climate actions, the assessment of co-benefits from the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and the increase of carbon catchment, incentives for investments and market, etc.

As a follow-up to the President’s order on saxaul plantation on the exposed bed of the Aral Sea, 100,000 ha were afforested in 2021. It is planned to afforest additional 250,000 ha in 2022.

The President in his message to the people of Kazakhstan in 2020 instructed to plant 2 billion trees. In 2021, 138 million trees were planted. An interactive map for monitoring of afforestation has been launched (https://orman.gharysh.kz/ru/map). During the annual “All-Kazakhstan afforestation day” over 60 thousand people planted about half a million of trees in 2021.

Projects. As part of: (1) EcoQolday project dealing with waste processing and utilization, first children ecological theater including the “Eco-workshop” was opened; (2) Regional approaches for combating sand and dust storms and drought project, a National action plan on mitigation of sand and dust storms in Kazakhstan for 2021-2024 has been developed. The NAP includes an overview of Kazakhstan’s current national efforts and international commitments in combatting desertification, as well as a map of SDS sources and a comprehensive analysis of the sources and causes; (3) Assistance to media coverage of transboundary environmental issues in Central Asia and the courses on the media coverage of the Aral Sea problems were held for journalists in Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. Upon completion, a press tour to the Aral Sea was organized and #ARALIssues Conference-2021 was held to present multimedia stories (December 10, Almaty). See Major Events in Central Asia.

Capacity building. Training courses for journalists on “Environmental journalism for sustainable development” were held within the framework of the Memorandum of Understanding and Cooperation between the Kazakh Ministry of Information and Social Development, KazNU and MEGNR (March 15-19).

International cooperation. A Program of Kazakh-Russian cooperation in the field of especially protected nature territories was signed for 2021-2024 in March.

First “Kazakhstan-Ukraine” climate dialogue was held in hybrid format on May 25-26. Development of partnership and international cooperation, exchanges on protection of especially protected natural territories, development of transboundary ecological tourism and environmental awareness were on the agenda.

Developments and events. In 2021, the Eurasian Environmental Fund (EEF) was established for implementation of green projects in Kazakhstan, extension of afforestation area and assistance in shifting to low-carbon economy. The State National Nature Park “Ulytau” was formed on an area of 58.9 thousand ha in Karaganda province.

120 thousand volunteers, ecologists and other sectoral representatives took part in the Clean Kazakhstan campaign on the World Environment Day.

Prime-Minister of Kazakhstan, while speaking at COP 26 in Glasgow, has underlined that Kazakhstan would increase 5 times the share of RES (from 3 to 15%) and 2 times the generation by clean energy sources (20 to 38%), reduce energy from coal from 70 to 40%, and increase the potential of carbon sequestration by planting over 2 billion trees by 2025. He also acknowledged the commitment of Kazakhstan to act as a Regional CA climate hub for sustainable development. As part of COP26, Kazakhstan joined the Declaration on forest and land use and the commitment on youth education and representation and signed with Tajikistan the Charter of the Green Bridge Partnership Program .

Emergencies and Disasters

Over 13 thousand natural and anthropogenic emergencies were registered throughout the country in 2021. The damage from natural disasters was estimated at 6,993 million KZT.

Preventive measures. As part of implementation of the Comprehensive Plan for Mudflow, Landslide and Avalanche Safety for 2020-2024, construction of mudflow retaining dams on the Aksai and Ayusai rivers was continued to protect the population of Almaty and Almaty provinces and minimize economic damage from mudflows. Kazakhstan,together with the PRC is also constructing the Chukurbulak mudflow retaining dam, as well as protective structures on the Khorgos River.

The following measures were taken: cleaning of discharge channels, installation of traps on 17 most hazardous moraine-dammed lakes, controlled discharges of more than 6 million m3; strengthening of 51 km of banks and cleaning of 72 km of river bed, construction and current repair of 78 km of protective dams, construction and cleaning of 21 km of drainage channels, installation of 4 local warning systems.

SDG in Kazakhstan

Implementation of SDGs is continuously monitored by both the Government of Kazakhstan and UN representatives. The SDG monitoring system of Kazakhstan includes 280 indicators (205 global and 75 national ones). Kazakhstan ranked 65th among 163 countries in the annual sustainable development rating published by the UN and the Bertelsmann Foundation https://dashboards.sdgindex.org/rankings

Foreign Policy and International Cooperation

The key principles of the Kazakhstan’s foreign policy as set in the Foreign Policy Concept for 2020-2030 speak as follows: external openness of the state; favorable external conditions for the well-being of Kazakhstanis; multivectorness, pragmatism and proactivity; collective vision and effective approaches of the international community to address a wide range of problems; symbiotic relationship between security and development at the national, regional and global levels.

Working and official visits. In 2021, the Head of State visited South Korea (August), Turkmenistan (August, October), Turkey (November), Belgium (November), Switzerland (November) and the Russian Federation (December) as part of his state, working or official visits.

Development of alliances and strategic partnerships. Kazakhstan expands ties and strengthens cooperation with CIS countries, the SCO and Central Asia in trade, economic, cultural and humanitarian spheres.

While speaking at the Consultation meeting of the Heads of State, the President of Kazakhstan has underlined: (1) the Concept of low-carbon development until 2050, which would allow the country to achieve carbon neutrality by 2060 and reduce emissions by 15 %; (2) the need for systemic adoption of innovations and training for the energy sector and the New Energy Skills Center formed to this end; (3) the important aspect of new country water policies in the region as the digitization of water distribution, accounting and monitoring. Cooperation should be resumed under the 1998 Agreement on the use of water-energy resources in the Syr Darya River Basin. To this end, it is proposed to form a special working group at the level of vice-ministers to find mutually acceptable solutions. The possibility of establishing an Interstate water-energy consortium in CA in order to harmonize the interests of all the countries in hydropower, irrigation and environment can be revisited. “It is important to intensify efforts of the Regional working group on institutional and legal improvement of the International Fund for saving the Aral Sea as it plans to discuss the above matter” (August 6).

During the official visit to Turkmenistan, 20 agreements were signed in the areas ranging from trade, transport, agriculture to science (October 24-25). Kazakhstan-Uzbekistan relations received a new impetus during the state visit of the President of Uzbekistan to Nur-Sultan. A Declaration on allied relations between the Republic of Uzbekistan and the Republic of Kazakhstan was adopted. According to this Declaration, the Supreme Interstate Council, the Council of Interparliamentary Cooperation, and the Council of Ministers of Foreign Affairs of Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan are to be established (December 6). See Bilateral Water Cooperation between the Countries of Central Asia.

Kazakhstan and Russia held the XVII Forum of Interregional Cooperation between Russia and Kazakhstan on the theme “Environmental and Green Growth Cooperation”. A package of documents was signed on the margins of the Forum (September 28-30).

Kazakhstan participated in the (1) CIS meetings: the Council of Foreign Ministers (April 2, Moscow; October 14, Minsk), the Council of CIS Heads of State (October 15, online), and informal summit of CIS Heads of State (December 28, St. Petersburg); (2) ECO meetings: 4th Business Forum of the ECO Member States (November 26, Ashgabat), 25th meeting of the ECO Council of Ministers (November 27, Ashgabat), 15th ECO Summit, which resulted in the "Ashgabat consensus of actions" (November 28, Ashgabat) (3) SCO meetings: regular meeting of the Council of National Coordinators of the SCO Member States (April 27-30, Tashkent; November 19-21, Nur-Sultan); 16th Meeting of Secretaries of the Security Council of the SCO Member States (June 23); meeting of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the SCO Member States (July 13-14); the CSTO Collective Security Council session (September 16); the high-level meeting of the SCO Heads of State Council (September 17).

Chairmanship in international organizations. In 2021: (1) the meetings of the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council were held under the chairmanship of Kazakhstan (May 21, online, October 14, online, December 10, Almaty). Kazakhstan also took part in the meetings of the Eurasian Intergovernmental Council (April 29-30, Kazan, August 19-20, Cholpon-Ata, November 18-19, Yerevan); (2) at the 4th General Assembly of the Islamic Food Security Organization (IFSA) Kazakhstan was delegated chairmanship in IFSA (September 8-9); (3) under the chairmanship of Kazakhstan in CICA , a series of events were held, including the 4th Meeting of the CICA Youth Council (June 18), the Conference "Food Security in Asia: Prospects for Cooperation in the CICA Area" (September 15), and the 6th Meeting of CICA Foreign Ministers (October 11-12).

Promotion of the national interests and reinforcement of the country’s image. Kazakhstan actively cooperates with the OIC, UN, EU, OSCE, ECO and others. At the initiative of the first President Nazarbayev, an informal summit of the Cooperation Council of Turkic-speaking States was held. The agenda included the expansion and strengthening of multifaceted interstate partnership. As a result, the Turkestan Declaration was adopted (March 31, online).

K.-J. Tokayev noted, speaking at (1) the opening ceremony of the second OIC Science and Technology Summit as chairman of the first Summit: "...we need to increase investment in human capital development, especially in good education. It is also vital to strengthen and develop our scientific cooperation. With these measures we will be able to revive the glory of the Islamic world in science and innovation" (June 16, online); (2) general debate of the 76th UNGA session: "...we focus on Central Asia’s water related problems, including water scarcity, quality deterioration and inefficient use. Our region's water security is inextricably linked to energy, food and the environment... Kazakhstan continues proposing a regional water and energy consortium as a way to coordinate current strategies for achieving common goals" (September 23).

Sources

Official sites of: the President of Kazakhstan, Ministry of Ecology, Geology and Natural Resources, Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Energy, Legal Information System of RK

Information agencies: inbusiness.kz, ainews.kz, kazenergy.com, forbes.kz, kursiv.kz, informburo.kz, liter.kz, kazaral.org, kazakh-zerno.net, inform.kz, kaztag.kz, centrasia.org