Kazakhstan in the Era of Climate Change: The Present and Future of Water Resource Management
By Nurzhigitov Nurzhan, Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation of the Republic of Kazakhstan
One of the main challenges facing Kazakhstan in the near future is how we adapt to water scarcity induced by climate change. It is an issue compounded by Kazakhstan’s geographic position downstream of all transboundary water sources and its lack of direct access to the sea. The future economic development, public health, and social stability of the country rest on our ability to ensure water security.
The new realities call for a comprehensive strategy that prioritizes the protection and rational use of water resources through the development and modernization of water infrastructure to improve efficiency, updating the regulatory framework, and strengthening regional cooperation.
To combat this growing issue, the Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation was established by a Presidential decree in order to implement water resources management policies and develop long-term strategies.
Since its inception, the Ministry has undertaken a large-scale transformation of Kazakhstan’s water sector and established clear goals and development benchmarks. In early 2024, the Concept for the Development of the Water Management System was officially adopted, outlining the main principles, approaches, and target indicators to be achieved. Its framework included greater accumulation and reuse of water and reduced pressure on natural resources.
Following a 2023 inventory of hydraulic structures, the Comprehensive Plan for the Development of the Water Sector 2024-2028 was also adopted. It comprised 160 measures, such as the construction of 42 new reservoirs and the reconstruction of 37 operational reservoirs, as well as the comprehensive modernization of more than 50% of all irrigation systems across the country.
The new Water Code, approved this year, marks fundamental changes in the water legislation and the role and public perception of water resources. The previous version of the document, adopted in 2003, no longer reflects the modern realities and needs. The new Code strengthens our legal foundation, formally introduces the concept of “water security,” and renews the rules for water use, basin planning, and infrastructure safety.
One of the key innovations of the new Water Code is the introduction of measures to protect Kazakhstan’s water bodies from depletion and pollution, primarily focusing on small rivers and lakes. In particular, the construction of solid dams on small rivers is now prohibited, and special protection regimes have been established for wetlands and glaciers. Local authorities are required to define water protection zones and strips within all populated areas. Consequently, water is no longer viewed merely as a tool for generating economic benefits. The newly introduced concept of “ecological flow” defines the volume of water required to maintain the natural environmental balance.
Regional cooperation remains a strategic priority, as transboundary water flows account for almost half of Kazakhstan’s total water resources. Since the establishment of the Ministry of Water Resources, water diplomacy has become a key element of Kazakhstan’s engagement with other Central Asian states and has fostered closer cooperation in the fields of energy, economy, science, and digitalization.
A clear indicator of effective regional partnership is the increase in water volume in the Northern Aral Sea, which increased to 24.1 billion cubic meters over the course of two years. According to the Concept for the Development of the Water Management System, these targets were originally scheduled to be achieved by 2029.
However, international cooperation is not limited to neighboring countries. Kazakhstan actively attracts international grants and investments to support transformative water management projects such as the National Water Resources Information System and develop scientific research, capacity-building programs, and infrastructure modernization projects.
For example, the large-scale study of the Balkhash Lake basin, one of the largest in the world, is being conducted jointly with France. The findings of the project will contribute to the creation of the master plan for the preservation of the water body until 2040. With the support of the World Bank, the second phase of the project aimed at increasing the volume and surface area of the Northern Aral Sea is currently under development.
Additionally, the Coordination Council for the Development of the Water Sector was established to facilitate further cooperation. Its members include representatives from international organizations, financial institutions, foreign development agencies, the diplomatic corps, and the business community.
In the current circumstances, water conservation is not just a “plan for the future” but an urgent necessity. One of the most effective tools for efficient water use is water-saving technologies, which can reduce water consumption by up to 30%. Kazakhstan has committed to the widespread implementation of these technologies in agriculture, which accounts for 65% of the country’s total water consumption. Our goal is to expand the use of modern irrigation systems by 150,000 hectares annually.
To this end, unprecedented measures of state support have been developed for Kazakhstani farmers. Specifically, there is an 80% subsidy on the costs of installing modern irrigation systems, as well as a differentiated tariff on the supply of irrigation water, directly linked to the use of water-saving technologies. These initiatives have increased the share of irrigated land using water-saving systems to 37% of the total irrigated area.
Industrial enterprises are also responsible for water conservation. The new Water Code mandates their phased transition to systems of recirculated and recycled water supply. This process will take place over seven years, including a two-year preparatory period and a five-year practical implementation phase.
An equally important element of rational water use is the development of a culture of water consumption. For example, last year, several regions introduced differentiated tariffs for excessive use of drinking water based on the principle “the more you consume, the more you pay”. The experiment proved successful, enabling water savings of up to 8%, or 1.6 million cubic meters per month.
In addition to revising tariff principles, a large-scale public awareness campaign is underway. We have developed guidelines for saving water at home, which include simple but effective water-saving methods. Informational materials containing these guidelines are being distributed throughout the country. Thematic events are also held in schools to foster the younger generation’s proper attitude toward water resources and environmental issues.
This year, within the framework of the “Clean Kazakhstan” initiative launched by President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, we conducted a nationwide open lesson on water conservation, with around two million children participating.
The campaign plans to extend coverage to college and university students in the new academic year.
The tasks before us require effort, but the ultimate goals are clear and achievable. Water is valuable not only as a vital resource but also as a foundation for cooperation, innovation, and prosperity. The work completed to date represents an important step toward a future Kazakhstan where we and our partners have turned the threat of water scarcity into an opportunity to build a more sustainable, equitable, and prosperous future for Central Asia.
