The President of Kazakhstan participated in the One Water Summit.
The President of Kazakhstan, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, delivered a welcoming speech at the opening ceremony of the One Water Summit, taking place in the capital of Saudi Arabia. The head of state expressed profound gratitude to France, Saudi Arabia, and the World Bank for organizing such an important event. He also thanked the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques — King Salman bin Abdulaziz of Saudi Arabia and Crown Prince, Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud for their hospitality and leadership in addressing global water issues.
Speaking at the summit, the president emphasized that access to clean water and sanitation is one of the fundamental human rights and a crucial condition for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. He noted that climate change, population growth, and urbanization are increasing the pressure on water resources, leading to droughts, floods, and ecosystem degradation. Tokayev underscored that water security is the foundation of sustainable development, economic progress, and environmental protection.
“More than 2 billion people worldwide still lack access to quality drinking water, while over 4 billion face severe water shortages. Modern challenges require a unified global response to ensure a sustainable future for all. Taking this opportunity, I would like to express my sincere appreciation to His Royal Highness for the recently announced Plan to assist all regions and countries facing the issues I mentioned. Kazakhstan, with its vast territory and lack of sea access, clearly understands the true value of water. We know firsthand that water is not an infinite resource. It is essential to treat water as a precious resource; only then can humanity achieve sustainable progress,” he stated.
Kassym-Jomart Tokayev called on the global community to take joint actions to ensure the rational use of water resources, develop water-saving technologies, and strengthen international cooperation in this area. He highlighted the importance of investing in water supply infrastructure.
“All people, especially representatives of vulnerable groups and communities living in remote areas, have the right and must have access to safe drinking water that meets sanitation standards. Targeted investments in climate-resilient water infrastructure can transform entire regions by providing reliable access to clean water and fostering sustainable growth. Kazakhstan’s participation in the global Freshwater Challenge initiative, aimed at universal access to clean water for all, confirms our country's commitment to these goals,” the President declared.
Protecting water sources from industrial, chemical, agricultural, and domestic pollution requires a comprehensive approach that includes both technological innovations and stringent regulations. Special attention should be given to enhancing the capacity of reservoirs, preserving glaciers, and implementing innovative irrigation systems.
The President proposed the establishment of an international Partnership that would unite leading research centers for the study and protection of glaciers. Such a partnership would allow scientists from around the world to collaborate, share knowledge and experience, and develop joint projects aimed at preserving glacial ecosystems. Glaciers are vital sources of freshwater and play a key role in regulating the climate. To protect them, it is necessary to reduce anthropogenic impacts on the environment and develop effective measures for climate adaptation.
“Glaciers play a crucial role in the global water cycle, feeding rivers and lakes that provide water to nearly two billion people worldwide. We need to conduct joint research and develop a unified policy to combat glacier disappearance and support water resource management strategies in regions that need it,” the President believes.
As previously mentioned, ensuring water security is one of the key factors for sustainable development. Every year, millions of people worldwide face the consequences of floods and droughts, leading to significant economic losses and humanitarian crises. Residents of small island states and coastal regions are particularly vulnerable, where rising sea levels and extreme weather events pose serious threats.
The head of state emphasized the importance of strengthening early warning systems for water-related natural disasters. Investments in modern meteorological stations, water level monitoring systems, and satellite technologies will enable timely identification of potential threats and the necessary measures to protect the population.
Water scarcity is directly linked to food and energy security. Droughts lead to decreased crop yields, and water shortages limit hydroelectric power generation opportunities. Strategic investments in water-efficient agriculture, such as drip irrigation and the use of salt-tolerant crops, can enhance agricultural productivity while minimizing water consumption. Transitioning to renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind power, will also help reduce the strain on water resources.
“Water knows no borders. It connects communities and ecosystems. As the chair of the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea, Kazakhstan supports the promotion of regional cooperation and joint actions. From our perspective, it is crucial for countries at the forefront of climate change issues to expand dialogue, develop international partnerships, and pool resources to implement water projects. In line with these goals, Kazakhstan is pleased to join the One Water Vision coalition today, which aims to unite stakeholders to address the global water crisis and promote integrated water resource management. As part of these efforts, Kazakhstan, with the support of the United Nations, will host a Regional Climate Conference in 2026,” he announced.
Kassym-Jomart Tokayev reminded the forum participants that ensuring access to clean water and sanitation is one of the most critical Sustainable Development Goals by 2030.
“Water security is not just a technical or environmental issue; it is a moral imperative. Solving the water security problem requires the development of a multilateral dialogue based on the principle of One Water. Kazakhstan is ready to contribute to collective efforts to strengthen global water resource governance,” concluded Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.
Distinguished global leaders and experts presented reports at the forum. The Crown Prince and Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud, the President of the French Republic, Emmanuel Macron, the President of the World Bank Group, Ajay Banga, and the co-chair of the Global Commission on the Economics of Water Resources, Johan Rockström, shared their views on the current state of global water resources and solutions to existing problems.
It is worth noting that in recent years, Kazakhstan has been actively working to enhance political engagement. Kazakhstan aims to be active on the political stage. The country hosts a number of significant political events and actively participates in similar events in other countries. It is also important to emphasize the significance of proper water distribution, especially considering the realities of Central Asia, where there is a critical shortage of water resources amid active climate change in the region.
We remind you that Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan previously held successful joint military exercises "Hanjar-2024".