On September 29, a sectoral round table titled ‘Joint Initiatives in the Implementation of the New Water Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan: Implementation, Practice, Prospects’ was held in Astana.
The event was attended by Mr. Nurzhan Nurzhigitov, Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation of the Republic of Kazakhstan, who delivered a welcoming speech, as well as representatives of Kazakh ministries, government agencies, and international organizations.
The round table, organized jointly with the OSCE Programme Office in Astana, focused on discussing the practical implementation of the new Water Code adopted in 2025. A key emphasis of the state water policy is the development of a culture of rational water use and the active involvement of civil society in the practical realization of sustainable development principles.
The event served as a platform for discussing the scaling-up of the project, expanding joint initiatives, and integrating its tools into educational programs and regional development strategies.
During the round table, the project ‘Syr Darya – The Future of Central Asia’ was officially launched, marking the transition of the initiative from Astana to the Kyzylorda region.
Dr. Caroline Milow, GIZ Programme Manager, expressed gratitude to the Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation, the OSCE, and other partners for their joint efforts, noting that ‘today’s dialogue is an important step towards the effective implementation of the new Water Code and the promotion of a culture of rational water use in Kazakhstan and across the region’
For reference: The Non-Profit Joint Stock Company ‘Information and Analytical Center for Water Resources’ is a subordinate organization of the Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation of the Republic of Kazakhstan. One of its main activities is the development of the National Water Resources Information System, as well as public awareness and education on the protection and sustainable use of water resources.
