Kazakhstan’s Participation in One Water Summit and COP29

Overview

The One Water Summit, held on December 3, 2024, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, is an international conference co-organized by France, Kazakhstan, Saudi Arabia, and the World Bank. It took place on the sidelines of the 16^th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD COP16).

The event was attended by Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, French President Emmanuel Macron, World Bank President Ajay Banga, Johan Rockström of the Global Commission on the Economics of Water, as well as other heads of state, international organizations, and global stakeholders.

The factsheet outlines key facts about the Summit, including its objectives, Kazakhstan’s role, as well as information about Kazakhstan’s participation at COP29 in Baku.

Objectives of the One Water Summit

The primary objectives of the One Water Summit include:

Enhancing Global Water Governance: The summit seeks to contribute to ongoing United Nations discussions to improve global water governance, building on the momentum of the UN Water Conference held in 2023.
Accelerating Action on Sustainable Development Goal 6 (SDG 6): By focusing on clean water and sanitation, the summit aims to expedite progress toward achieving universal and equitable access to safe drinking water and sanitation for all.
Incubating Innovative Solutions: Serving as an incubator for solutions, the summit prepares for the next UN Water Conference in 2026 by integrating its agenda with existing water processes and initiatives, such as the World Water Forum and the Dushanbe Conference.
Promoting Integrated Water Management: The summit emphasizes the importance of considering all water sources and uses in an integrated and sustainable manner, aligning with the “One Water” approach to water management.

Kazakhstan’s Participation

President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev delivered a speech at the One Water Summit. Key points include:

Kazakhstan has joined the global Freshwater Challenge, committing to universal access to clean water.
The country supports targeted investments in climate-resilient water infrastructure.
Tokayev proposed creating a Partnership for Global Glacier Research to counter glacier disappearance and support water management.
He emphasized the need for technological innovations to combat water pollution and improve irrigation systems.
Advocated for strategic investments in water-efficient agriculture and renewable energy to boost economic resilience.
Kazakhstan has joined the One Water Vision coalition to address the global water crisis through integrated resource management.
Noted plans to host the Regional Climate Conference in 2026 with UN support.

Kazakhstan’s Co-Hosting Role

Kazakhstan’s decision to co-host the One Water Summit alongside France and Saudi Arabia underscores its commitment to addressing global water challenges. The country’s participation is driven by several factors:

Addressing National Water Challenges: Kazakhstan faces significant water-related issues, including the shrinking of the Aral Sea, transboundary water management complexities, and glacier loss. These challenges necessitate urgent collaborative action, and co-hosting the summit provides a platform to seek solutions.
Promoting Transboundary Water Cooperation: With seven of its eight river basins being transboundary, Kazakhstan recognizes the importance of cooperative approaches to water management. The summit offers an opportunity to enhance international cooperation on transboundary waters and freshwater ecosystems.
Advancing Environmental Initiatives: Kazakhstan’s leadership in environmental matters, such as chairing the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea, aligns with the summit’s goals of scaling up projects through partnerships among states, international organizations, and other stakeholders.

Outcomes of Kazakhstan’s Participation at COP29

Kazakhstan participated in COP29, held in Baku, Azerbaijan, from November 11 to 22, 2024. The delegation, led by President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, Minister of Ecology Yerlan Nyssanbayev, and Special Representative for International Environmental Cooperation Zulfiya Suleimenova, presented several initiatives and proposals aimed at addressing climate change and promoting sustainability.

During COP29, Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev presented several key initiatives and proposals:

Carbon Neutrality Commitment: Reaffirmed Kazakhstan’s goal to achieve carbon neutrality by 2060, emphasizing its commitment to the global climate agenda.
Climate Finance for Vulnerable Regions: Advocated prioritizing regions most impacted by climate change, including landlocked developing countries, under the New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG) on climate finance.
Innovative Climate Solutions: Highlighted the role of technologies like AI, satellite monitoring, and digital tools in early warning systems and water and land management.
Methane Emission Reduction: Reported significant progress in methane reduction projects across coal, oil, gas, and agriculture sectors, achieving a three-fold decrease.
Carbon Farming Potential: Emphasized Kazakhstan’s ability to leverage 200 million hectares of agricultural land to reduce greenhouse gases and improve soil quality.
Nuclear Energy for Emission Reduction: Announced plans to construct a nuclear power plant, approved by a nationwide referendum, with global technology partnerships ensuring safety and efficiency.
Water Resource Management: Proposed a comprehensive disaster risk management system to address climate-induced water cycle disruptions, citing recent floods in Kazakhstan.
Caspian Sea and Aral Sea Conservation: Supported regional initiatives, including a Caspian states expert group on environmental challenges and intensified international efforts to preserve the Aral Sea.

Kazakhstan’s Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources, Yerlan Nyssanbayev, proposed the following:

Carbon Farming Initiative: Highlighted the need for investment in restoring degraded lands to combat desertification and enhance carbon sequestration through sustainable agricultural practices.
Global Low-Carbon Platform: Proposed creating a platform to consolidate greenhouse gas reduction efforts via emissions trading systems (ETS) and enhance international carbon markets.
Climate Finance Advocacy: Stressed the importance of defining and expanding green financing mechanisms to support global and regional climate initiatives.
Support for Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs): Advocated coordinated international actions to address the unique climate challenges faced by LLDCs.

Kazakhstan’s Special Representative for International Environmental Cooperation, Zulfiya Suleimenova, proposed the following:

Methane Emissions Reduction: Announced regulatory efforts to reduce methane venting and leaks in the oil and gas sector, with a National Program for Methane Emissions Reduction set for completion by COP30 in 2025.
Climate Finance Advocacy: Called for predictable funding, concessional finance, and grants to meet Kazakhstan’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) while ensuring economic growth.
Climate Transparency Leadership: Co-led a High-Level Dialogue on Advancing Climate Transparency, emphasizing the importance of accurate reporting to track collective climate progress.