AGP Executive Report

AI Governance & Digital Policy: President Tokayev used the World AI Conference in Shanghai to push a fair, inclusive global AI governance system, arguing Kazakhstan can serve as a regional digital hub and calling for AI to support sustainable growth under responsible human control. International Cooperation: China formally launched the World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization (WAICO) with 29 founding countries including Kazakhstan, positioning it as a multilateral platform for safer, more accessible AI development. Tourism & Environment Pressure: Kazakhstan welcomed a record 15.7 million foreign visitors in 2025, boosting jobs and investment but raising familiar concerns about infrastructure capacity and how to protect natural attractions under rising demand. Climate & Water Risk: New research highlights the Aral Sea’s drying as a climate driver, shifting it from a carbon sink into a carbon source—another warning for Central Asia’s water-dependent ecosystems. Mining & Resources: Kazakhstan’s vanadium prospects stayed in focus as analysts argue the country could benefit from a future demand-supply imbalance for critical minerals tied to energy storage and steel. Wildlife & Land Stewardship: A week of coverage also included conservation updates such as Przewalski’s horse foals and reintroductions, alongside attention to how landscapes are managed and protected.

Climate & Water Science: A regional expedition in Kyrgyzstan’s Kara-Batkak Glacier area brought Central Asian experts together to improve glacier monitoring and research methods amid climate change, including UAV remote sensing and better tracking of ice reserves under debris. Biodiversity & Disaster Risk: Kazakhstan’s volunteerism model drew UN praise at UN Headquarters, highlighting how organized civic action can support sustainable development and resilience. Energy & Emissions: Kazakhstan’s waste-to-energy plans are set for major expansion, while Kazakhstan–China cooperation also points to new waste treatment and energy recovery projects. Aral Sea Impact: New research underscores how Aral Sea drying can flip carbon sinks into carbon sources, adding a climate dimension to the ecological crisis. Green Infrastructure: Tashkent’s 58,000-hectare green belt plan by 2045 shows the region’s push for long-term, monitored protective forests—an approach Kazakhstan is also referenced for. Tech for Governance: At the WAIC in Shanghai, Kazakhstan backed the World AI Cooperation Organization (WAICO), signaling interest in AI capacity building and digital cooperation that could shape future environmental monitoring and policy.

Waste & Energy: Kazakhstan is preparing a major expansion of waste-to-energy plants with Chinese investors, aiming to add at least three new facilities in major cities; existing Chinese-backed projects in Almaty, Astana and Shymkent already target 4,500 tons of municipal waste per day and 134 MW of power, but Kazakhstan still processes only a tiny share of waste into secondary materials. Water & Climate: New research highlights how the Aral Sea’s drying has shifted it from a carbon sink into a major carbon source, turning ecological loss into a climate driver. Biodiversity & Nature: A Przewalski’s horse foal was born at the Almaty Zoo, adding to conservation momentum. Green Skills: Green University launched applications for 50 grants for students from Turkic states, focusing on sustainability, climate action and environmental management. International Cooperation: Kazakhstan’s volunteerism model drew UN praise at UN HQ events tied to CICA member states. Critical Minerals: Vanadium is getting renewed attention as a strategic “next breakout” for Kazakhstan’s critical minerals sector.

Waste-to-Energy Push: Kazakhstan is moving to expand municipal waste-to-energy plants with China Tianying, aiming to finalize an investment agreement within two weeks and add facilities in at least three major cities, building on existing projects in Almaty, Astana and Shymkent that could process about a third of the country’s municipal waste. Climate Science on the Aral Sea: New research highlights how the Aral Sea’s drying has shifted it from a carbon sink to a major carbon source, as stored carbon in exposed sediments gets released. Wildfire Response: Kazakhstan deployed hundreds of personnel to fight Semey Ormany wildfires, with open burning reported extinguished by the Ministry of Ecology. Green Skills: Green University launched a call for 50 grants for students from Turkic states, focusing on sustainability, climate action and environmental law. Energy Transition Finance: Kazakhstan and the EBRD reviewed preparations for the QaJET National Investment Platform for a Just Energy Transition ahead of COP31, targeting climate finance and sustainable development projects. AI Meets Sustainability: At the World AI Conference in Shanghai, Kazakhstan’s leaders backed people-centered, fair AI governance, linking AI deployment to sustainable growth and digital infrastructure.

Semey Ormany wildfire response: Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Ecology says open burning in the Semey Ormany nature reserve has been extinguished, with crews still tackling smoldering spots after intensive night operations. Emergency scale-up: More than 769 personnel, 191 units of ground equipment, and eight helicopters were involved, with aviation delivering 546 tons of water via 243 drops. Heat and health warning: WHO reports extreme heat is driving rising illness and deaths across Europe, urging governments to treat heat as a health emergency and strengthen hospital resilience—assessments in Kazakhstan are cited. Kashagan environmental fine dispute: Kazakhstan’s Justice Ministry says the environmental fine against NCOC over Kashagan sulfur storage violations is lawful and must be enforced, but a UNCITRAL tribunal temporarily blocks collection of the KZT 2.3 trillion fine while arbitration proceeds. Aral Sea climate impact: New research highlights the Aral Sea’s drying as a major carbon source, underscoring why shrinking lakes must be tracked in climate accounting. Circular electronics push: Astana hosted a regional discussion on circular electronics and e-waste management, focusing on collection, recycling infrastructure, and extended producer responsibility. Trans-Caspian logistics: A China-Kazakhstan container hub at Aktau has started operations to boost TITR trade flows across the Caspian.

Aral Sea Climate Impact: New research says the Aral Sea’s drying has released over 200 teragrams of carbon from exposed lake-bed sediments, flipping the region from a carbon sink into a major carbon source—highlighting why restoring shrinking lakes could cut future greenhouse emissions. Wildfire Response: Kazakhstan’s Semey Ormany State Forest Nature Reserve in the east saw a forest fire break out, with 200+ personnel and aircraft battling the blaze. Water Security Upgrade: Kazakhstan plans to commission 962 km of irrigation canals by end-2026 to improve water supply for about 200,000 hectares, alongside ongoing modernization and canal automation supported by the EBRD and Islamic Development Bank. Waste-to-Energy Push: Kazakhstan and China are expanding cooperation on municipal solid waste recycling and energy recovery, with waste-to-energy plants planned for Astana, Almaty and Shymkent. Caspian Energy Accountability: Kazakhstan is pressing Kashagan’s operator to pay a 2.3 trillion tenge environmental fine from 2023, as the deadline nears amid shareholder disputes. Green Belt Planting: Tashkent’s Green Belt project targets 58,000 hectares of protective forest plantations by 2045, using drought-resistant trees and long-term maintenance to improve air and dust trapping. ESG in Action: A Kazakhstan-hosted Astana symposium released an ESG casebook on China-Central Asia cooperation, spotlighting sustainability efforts across energy, agriculture, infrastructure and finance. Heat and Health Warning: WHO urged heat-proofing hospitals and stronger heat–health action plans, warning that extreme heat is a growing public health threat.

Water Infrastructure Push: Kazakhstan plans to commission 962 km of irrigation canals by end-2026 to improve water supply for about 200,000 hectares, building on 1,500 km reconstructed in 2024-2025 and ongoing modernization with the EBRD and Islamic Development Bank. Waste-to-Energy Deal: A Chinese firm, Tianying Inc., is set to build waste-to-energy plants in Kazakhstan’s Astana, Almaty and Shymkent, aiming for recycling and energy recovery in major cities and regional centers. Irrigation Automation: Southern regions are automating 103 canals (968 km) and work continues on 270 more (1,184 km), with modern water accounting systems planned. Kashagan Environmental Fine: Kazakhstan says it will start compulsory collection against NCOC if a 2.3 trillion tenge ($4.9bn) environmental penalty isn’t paid by July 20, after a court decision entered into legal force while foreign shareholders pursue arbitration. Biodiversity Update: Almaty Zoo welcomed a Przewalski’s horse foal, Zhelmaya, adding to captive breeding efforts for the world’s rarest wild horse species. Conservation & Wildlife: Marwell Zoo in England continues its search for a missing capybara while introducing a new male capybara to support the welfare of its resident female. Green Investment Signal: Kazakhstan attracted $19bn in greenfield investment in 2025, ESCAP data cited by Kazinform says, reinforcing its push to modernize the economy and improve the investment climate.

Kashagan Environmental Enforcement: Kazakhstan says it will start compulsory collection against the North Caspian Operating Company if it misses a July 20 deadline to pay a 2.3 trillion tenge (about $4.9bn) environmental fine tied to alleged sulfur-storage limit breaches. Biodiversity Update: Almaty Zoo welcomed a new Przewalski’s horse foal, Zhelmaya, born June 14, as part of international captive breeding efforts to protect the rare wild species listed in Kazakhstan’s Red Book and the IUCN Red List. Wildlife Conservation in Motion: Marwell Zoo in England reported progress in its Przewalski’s horse and capybara conservation work, including the arrival of a new capybara named Ripple while it continues searching for Samba. Water Governance: Egypt’s water minister backed Kazakhstan’s push for practical, consensus-based reforms to strengthen global water governance under UN discussions. Disaster Preparedness: The UN urged Central Asia, including parts of Kazakhstan, to improve earthquake preparedness, warning seismic risk remains among the deadliest natural hazards. Green Investment Signal: Kazakhstan highlighted $19bn in greenfield investment in 2025, reinforcing its role as a top Central Asia destination for new production projects.

Climate & Health Research: WHO rolled out a Western Pacific roadmap linking climate change, migration and health, calling for better research on under-studied migrant groups and migration-sensitive health emergency planning. Green Investment Push: Kazakhstan says it attracted $19bn in greenfield investment in 2025 and is using an “Investment Headquarters” plus long-term legal stability deals to keep capital flowing. Economy & Infrastructure: H1 2026 data show GDP growth at 4.1% and fixed capital investment at 9.5 trillion tenge, with private investment driving most of the increase. Caspian Ecology Context: A new explainer revisits why the Caspian is treated as a lake despite its “sea” name—an issue that matters for fishing rights and cross-border resource rules. Wildlife Conservation: Marwell Zoo returned two endangered Przewalski’s horses (Shara and Togs) to Kazakhstan after a 3,000-mile journey, supporting long-running reintroduction efforts. Water Governance Diplomacy: Kazakhstan hosted a UN event where Egypt backed gradual reforms to strengthen global water governance and coordination. Pollution & Enforcement: Kazakhstan’s justice ministry says Kashagan operators must pay a 2.3 trillion tenge environmental fine by July 20, while the consortium pursues arbitration. Cyber Risk for Power: Kaspersky reports an AI-assisted malware campaign targeting government and electric power organizations, including in Kazakhstan.

Kashagan Environmental Accountability: Kazakhstan’s Justice Ministry says Kashagan operators must pay a 2.3 trillion tenge ($4.89bn) environmental fine by July 20, with enforcement possible if they don’t settle; the consortium is challenging the penalty through international arbitration at ICSID. Wildlife Conservation: Marwell Zoo has returned two endangered Przewalski’s horses, Shara and Togs, to Kazakhstan after a 3,000-mile journey, boosting efforts to rebuild wild populations. Climate & Disaster Risk: A new regional webinar invites Central Asia to strengthen “One Health” avian influenza prevention and control, linking wildlife, animal health, food systems and public health. Air & Heat Context: Coverage highlights how extreme heat and dry conditions are driving major wildfire impacts across parts of Asia, underscoring the stakes for Kazakhstan’s own fire and air-quality preparedness. Water Governance Diplomacy: Kazakhstan hosted a UN event where Egypt backed gradual reforms to improve global water governance effectiveness and coordination. Cybersecurity & Critical Infrastructure: Kaspersky reports a malware campaign (BusySnake Stealer) targeting government and electric power organizations, with suspected activity in Kazakhstan.

One Health & Avian Flu Preparedness: Kazakhstan and Central Asia are gearing up for a July 21 regional online webinar on preventing and controlling avian influenza, focusing on migratory bird flyways, surveillance, safe handling of dead wild birds, lab diagnostics, and cross-sector coordination. Wildlife Reintroduction: Two endangered Przewalski’s horses, Shara and Togs, have been released into Kazakhstan’s wild as part of an international “Return of the Wild Horses” effort led by Prague Zoo and supported by European partners and Marwell Zoo. Water & Drought Response: Kazakhstan has launched a cloud-seeding pilot in Turkistan Region with UAE support, using salt-based reagents to boost rainfall chances over farmland and help replenish reservoirs; results are still being evaluated. Regional Climate Coordination: CAREC reports Central Asia approved key “One Health” documents (council rules, action plan, communication plan) to strengthen joint responses to threats across human, animal, and environmental health. Conservation Monitoring: Camera traps in Ertis Ormany Nature Reserve captured lynxes, adding to biodiversity monitoring data and highlighting the reserve’s conservation value.

Water Security & Climate Tech: Kazakhstan launched its first pilot cloud-seeding project in drought-prone Turkistan Region, using aircraft to disperse salt-based reagents over selected rain clouds to boost precipitation and support irrigation for 911,000 hectares; authorities say early flights are under evaluation and there’s no evidence of health or environmental risks. Biodiversity Monitoring: Camera traps in Ertis Ormany Nature Reserve captured lynx sightings, adding to Kazakhstan’s conservation data and highlighting the reserve’s role as a wildlife habitat. Regional Health Cooperation (“One Health”): CAREC coordinated a regional “One Health” meeting approving shared rules and plans for cross-border responses to threats affecting human, animal, and environmental health, including joint simulation drills and unified lab standards. Water & Ecosystems: A new explainer links the shrinking Caspian Sea to reduced river inflow from dams and withdrawals plus climate-driven evaporation, warning of escalating ecological stress. Disaster Risk Reduction: UNDP launched a Japan-funded regional disaster risk reduction initiative in Turkmenistan, strengthening cross-border coordination with CESDRR in Almaty, Kazakhstan.

Water & Air: Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan agreed to strengthen cooperation on air quality and transboundary pollution, setting up a joint working group to improve monitoring (PM2.5/PM10), share data, and coordinate actions under the Clean Air effort. Water Infrastructure: Kyrgyzstan says it is accelerating hydropower buildout, with around 50 small and medium HPPs already built and about 50 more under construction, alongside solar and wind projects. Water Sector Funding: Kazakhstan plans to invest over 3 trillion tenge in water development, while Germany-backed cooperation focuses on groundwater management and scaling water-saving initiatives beyond Kyzylorda. Protected Nature: Karkaraly National Park in Saryarka highlights steppe-to-forest biodiversity, with dozens of bird and mammal species and Red Book listings. Waste & Recycling: Kazakhstan’s new e-waste project (GEF-backed) targets low collection and recycling rates, testing household collection schemes and supporting recyclers while aiming to cut landfill disposal. Rare Metals & Tech: Kazakhstan and South Korea will launch a rare metals research and technology center in Almaty to develop cleaner processing for rare and rare earth metals. Conservation Spotlight: World Horse Day notes UNEP’s Generation Restoration work, including Przewalski’s horses returning to Kazakhstan’s steppe. Mining & Energy Watch: Kazakhstan’s uranium role keeps surfacing in global nuclear supply plans, including tenders for overseas uranium assets that list Kazakhstan among potential targets.

Water Security & Cooperation: Kazakhstan and Germany agreed to expand water conservation work, including groundwater management and scaling the “Save Water — Preserve the Future!” initiative to southern regions from 2027; Kazakhstan plans to invest over 3 trillion tenge in water sector development. Air Pollution Control: Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan will set up a joint working group of scientists and experts to strengthen air quality monitoring and cut transboundary pollution, focusing on PM2.5/PM10 and coordinated decisions. Waste & Recycling: Kazakhstan launched a project to improve collection, recycling, and monitoring of electronic waste, backed by a $5 million Global Environment Facility grant, aiming to reduce landfill risks and recover valuable metals. Biodiversity & Nature Tourism: Karkaraly National Park highlights steppe-to-mountain ecosystems and Red Book species, while a separate report spotlights Kazakhstan’s banana greenhouse farm in Turkistan as a new agri-tourism draw. Conservation Spotlight: A snow leopard named Nuri died at Howletts Wild Animal Park, underscoring ongoing challenges for big-cat welfare and care. Research for Critical Minerals: Kazakhstan and South Korea will create a rare metals research and technology center in Almaty to develop environmentally friendly processing for rare and rare earth metals.

Water Security: Kazakhstan and Germany discussed expanding water conservation cooperation, including support for Kazhydrogeology’s underground-water management center and scaling the “Save Water — Preserve the Future!” initiative to southern regions from 2027; Kazakhstan plans to invest over 3 trillion tenge in water sector development. Transboundary Air: Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan agreed to set up a joint working group to tackle cross-border air pollution, improve monitoring of PM2.5/PM10, and coordinate decisions under the Clean Air project. Waste & Recycling: Kazakhstan launched a Global Environment Facility-backed electronic waste project to boost household collection and recycling, after reports showed official e-waste figures capture only a small share of what is generated. Biodiversity & Wildlife: A snow leopard died at Howletts Wild Animal Park, highlighting ongoing animal welfare and conservation pressures. Nature & Food Innovation: A greenhouse banana farm in southern Kazakhstan (Turkistan region) is growing tropical fruit and drawing visitors, showing how agriculture is adapting to local conditions. Rare Metals Research: Kazakhstan and South Korea plan a rare metals and critical minerals research center in Almaty focused on environmentally friendly processing technologies.

Water Security: Kazakhstan and Germany agreed to expand water conservation work, including support for Kazhydrogeology’s underground-water management center and scaling “Save Water — Preserve the Future!” to southern regions from 2027; Kazakhstan plans to invest over 3 trillion tenge in the water sector. Air Pollution: Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan will set up a joint scientist-and-expert working group to cut transboundary air pollution, improve monitoring (PM2.5/PM10), and coordinate the Clean Air project. Waste & Recycling: Kazakhstan launched a new electronic waste collection and recycling initiative in Astana with a $5m Global Environment Facility grant, aiming to boost formal recycling and better track hazardous e-waste. Biodiversity: World Horse Day (July 11) highlighted horses’ role in agriculture and culture, with UNEP noting Przewalski’s horses returning to Kazakhstan’s steppe. Rare Metals & Cleaner Tech: Kazakhstan and South Korea will create a rare-metals research and technology center in Almaty focused on environmentally friendly processing and training specialists. Conservation Spotlight: A separate report notes the death of a snow leopard at a UK animal park, underscoring ongoing wildlife welfare challenges.