Author: Mike Nova

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov arrived in Almaty this week to participate in two significant diplomatic events: a meeting of the CIS Council of Foreign Ministers and the eighth gathering of foreign ministers from Russia and Central Asia.

On April 10, Lavrov held a bilateral meeting with Kazakh Foreign Minister Murat Nurtleu, during which both sides reviewed the implementation of earlier high-level agreements and discussed expanding cooperation in political, economic, and humanitarian spheres.

“Maintaining the high dynamics of political dialogue and the consistent implementation of the agreements reached remain priorities in our bilateral cooperation. This is the direction set by our presidents,” Nurtleu stated.

Lavrov, for his part, emphasized the depth of the strategic partnership between the two countries: “Kazakhstan is our reliable ally and neighbor. We traditionally support each other both at the bilateral level and on the international stage.”

The foreign ministers also gave particular attention to strengthening trade and economic ties.

On April 11, Lavrov will participate in a CIS Council of Foreign Ministers meeting. According to Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova, the ministers will discuss major international and regional issues, including preparations for the 80th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War, and matters related to cultural and humanitarian cooperation, as well as border security.

Later that day, Lavrov is expected to take part in the eighth meeting of foreign ministers of Russia and Central Asian states, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. The agenda includes political and economic priorities, joint humanitarian initiatives, and measures aimed at enhancing regional stability. Discussions will also focus on global challenges, particularly the coordination of security efforts in Central Asia.

Lavrov’s last visit to Kazakhstan was in November 2024, as part of preparations for President Vladimir Putin’s official visit to the country.

Earlier, in 2023, Foreign Minister Nurtleu had met Lavrov in Moscow, highlighting the ongoing diplomatic engagement between the two nations.

On April 10, the Coordination Council of Partners for the Development of the Water Sector of Kazakhstan held its second official meeting in Astana, co-chaired by Nurzhan Nurzhigitov, Kazakhstan’s Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation, and Katarzyna Wawiernia, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Resident Representative in Kazakhstan.

The Council, which first convened on September 30, 2024, comprises the Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation, the UNDP, and more than 30 international partners, including financial institutions and global development organizations.

At the meeting, participants reviewed the Council’s work over the past six months and discussed strategic priorities for sustainable water management. A key topic was the 2024-2030 Partnership Water Initiative, adopted in September 2024, which outlines long-term goals for resilience and innovation in the sector.

Minister Nurzhigitov discussed the Council’s role in forging productive cross-sector partnerships.

“In just six months, we’ve reached concrete agreements and launched new projects with partner countries, development institutions, financial organizations, and major companies. The Ministry has signed three agreements and sixteen memorandums with international partners from the Netherlands, France, Germany, Spain, the USA, Israel, China, the Islamic Development Bank, the Eurasian Development Bank, the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development, and UNDP,” he said.

New Agreements Signed at the Meeting

Five new cooperation agreements were concluded during the session:

• The Ministry signed a communiqué with Spain’s Xcalibur Smart Mapping to carry out underground water resource mapping in western Kazakhstan
• A Statement of Intent was signed with the Islamic Development Bank and UNDP to bolster the technical capacity of Kazakhstan’s water sector, with a focus on digitalization, flood forecasting, climate resilience, and policy development
• An agreement between the Ministry’s Information and Analytical Center for Water Resources and the Eurasian Development Bank established a grant to develop a National Water Resources Information System by 2026. The project aims to increase transparency, efficiency, and equity in water distribution
• Kazvodkhoz, the Ministry’s national enterprise, signed a communiqué with PowerChina International to expand cooperation, including training seminars in China for Kazakhstani specialists (the first group of 30 participants is already attending a two-week program)
• Kazvodkhoz also signed a memorandum of cooperation with Primus Capital Almaty LLP, aimed at developing small hydropower plants at national water facilities

A Long-Term Challenge

Kazakhstan has long faced serious water-related challenges from the shrinking Aral Sea, driven by reduced transboundary river flows, to destructive spring floods and chronic irrigation shortages in the southern regions. These challenges highlight the urgency of coordinated, international engagement and innovation in water governance.