ASTANA, Kazakhstan, April 15. Kazakh President
Kassym-Jomart Tokayev held a meeting with the UN
Secretary-General’s Special Envoy on Water Resources Retno Marsudi,
during which the sides discussed key issues of the global and
regional water agenda, Trend reports via the press service of the Kazakh
president.
During the meeting Tokayev stressed that water resources are a
strategic asset for Kazakhstan, directly linked to sustainable
development, environmental security, and regional stability.
The president emphasized the importance of forming a more
effective international architecture for cooperation in the water
sector, noting his initiative to establish a United Nations-backed
International Water Organization.
According to Tokayev, the initiative aims to give new momentum
to global efforts to ensure the rational use of water resources,
enhance international coordination, and promote sustainable
solutions to water-related challenges.
It was also noted that during the upcoming Regional
Environmental Summit in Astana, the first round of international
consultations will be launched to discuss the possible parameters
and prospects of creating such a structure.
The sides further highlighted the importance of the upcoming UN
Water Conference scheduled for December 2026 in Abu Dhabi, which is
expected to serve as a key platform for developing coordinated
approaches to global water challenges.
