Updates on Kazakhstan's Debut Nuclear Power Plant, Lifting of Veil Taboos, and Various Other Headlines in International Media
In a significant move towards addressing the water crisis in Central Asia, Kazakhstan is leading the charge with extensive reforms and regional cooperation initiatives. The country is investing heavily in modernising its water infrastructure, building 42 new reservoirs and refurbishing 14,000 kilometres of irrigation canals, supported by digital water monitoring systems under its Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation established in 2023.
As chair of the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea (IFAS), Kazakhstan is overseeing key environmental restoration projects, such as raising the Kokaral Dam to revive the North Aral Sea. The country frames water management as integral to regional stability and cooperation, actively promoting closer coordination with neighbouring states.
Regional cooperation is crucial, given that Central Asia’s water insecurity stems from shared river systems affected by climate change-driven glacier melt. Some glaciers in Kazakhstan have shrunk by nearly 50% since 1956. Regional leaders, including Kazakhstan’s Deputy Prime Minister, emphasise collaboration to sustain transboundary water flows and mitigate risks to agriculture, energy, and livelihoods.
International partners are heavily involved in supporting Kazakhstan’s water strategy. The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) has provided over €255 million for water and wastewater projects, including sovereign loans for treatment plants. The Eurasian Development Bank and UNDP have formed partnerships to promote modern irrigation techniques, digitise water management, and establish training centres. These investments align with Kazakhstan’s push for digital and infrastructure upgrades to enhance water use efficiency and regional water security.
Kazakhstan is also developing a new digital water platform as part of its efforts to address the water crisis. This strategic partnership between Click, Uzbekistan's leading payment services provider, and Halyk Bank, Central Asia's largest financial group, represents the largest private sector transaction in Uzbekistan's history. The partnership will open new opportunities for delivering innovative financial services across Uzbekistan.
Moreover, Kazakhstan is growing its cooperation with neighbouring countries in defence and trade, as reported in a foreign media digest by The Astana Times. Discussions covered armament, equipment, unit organisation, and operational tactics against hypothetical enemies. Azerbaijani officials shared their expertise with Kazakh military personnel on modern drone technologies.
In a move towards national security, the Kazakh government has adopted new legislation prohibiting clothing that covers the face in public places, citing national security concerns. However, traditional Kazakh garments such as scarves and hats are used to cover the head or hair but not the face. Even as classic Islamic veils have gradually become more common since the early 2000s, they are not traditional in Kazakh culture. More than 70% of Kazakhs identify as Muslim, but for many, Islam is practiced in a cultural sense rather than as a devout religious form.
An article published on July 14 by Euractiv highlights Kazakhstan's role in tackling the Central Asia water crisis. The country's commitment to addressing water shortages in the Central Asian region is evident in its significant investments and strategic partnerships. With its comprehensive approach, Kazakhstan is central to both national and regional responses to the water crisis in Central Asia.
- The partnership between Click, Uzbekistan's leading payment services provider, and Halyk Bank, Central Asia's largest financial group, in developing a digital water platform, represents a significant step in Kazakhstan's strategy to address the water crisis, also aligning with its push for digital and infrastructure improvements in the business sphere.
- As Kazakhstan plays a pivotal role in addressing the water crisis in Central Asia due to its substantial investments and strategic partnerships, it has also been noted in general news that the country is growing its cooperation with neighbouring countries in defense and trade, particularly in exchanges of technologies like drones in the field of technology, and adopting new legislation in the realm of politics to ensure national security.
