Financing of the water sector in Central Asia to be discussed at RES 2026

The Ministry of National Economy of Kazakhstan, in cooperation with JSC “Economic Research Institute” and the International Water Management Institute (hereinafter – IWMI), will hold a session on financing the water sector in Central Asia within the framework of the Regional Ecological Summit 2026 (hereinafter – RES), which will take place in Astana on 22–24 April.
 

The panel session entitled “Sustainable Financing of the Water Sector in Central Asia: Challenges, Opportunities and Pathways for Regional Cooperation” will be held on 23 April. The event will bring together heads of central government bodies responsible for water resources in Central Asian countries, representatives of international financial institutions, including the Asian Development Bank and the World Bank, as well as leading experts and researchers in the region’s water sector. 
 

Central Asia is among the regions most vulnerable to climate change: the rate of warming here exceeds the global average, leading to the reduction of glaciers—the key source of water resources—and an increased frequency of extreme natural events, including droughts, floods, and mudflows.
 

Water security in Central Asia is among the global challenges. During the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly, the heads of state of the region warned that the accelerating melting of glaciers threatens millions of people with water and food shortages. 
Additional concern is caused by the deterioration of the environmental situation associated with the region’s largest water bodies. The lack of decisive measures may lead to large-scale crises.
 

In these conditions, financial mechanisms become a key instrument for the development of the water sector. Investments in infrastructure, forecasting, and water resource management directly affect water and food security, economic resilience, and the export potential of the region. 
 

The session will focus on developing practical solutions to expand financing sources, strengthen public-private partnership mechanisms, and enhance regional cooperation.
 

It is expected that the dialogue within the framework of the RES will contribute to the development of a regional action plan for financing the water sector as a key element of the long-term development of Central Asia.