AGP Executive Report

Lake Balkhash Protection: Kazakhstan and France are pushing a long-term master plan to preserve Lake Balkhash, with experts also discussing climate-driven water risks and decision tools for basin management. Water Security & Climate Resilience: A regional push is underway to strengthen water and land management across Central Asia, while Kazakhstan is investing in water-sector capacity and exploring new approaches to drought impacts. One Health Coordination: Central Asian countries wrapped consultations on “One Health” implementation, aiming to align pandemic prevention, food system sustainability, and ecosystem health under a shared regulatory package. Wildlife & Biodiversity Cooperation: Central Asia is also moving forward on wildlife conservation and sustainable landscapes, highlighting transboundary ecosystems and species like snow leopard and saiga. Green Growth Funding: Kazakhstan will allocate $3 million annually to a UN regional center in Almaty to support SDG delivery, climate resilience, and inclusive development. Mining & Strategic Minerals: Kazakhstan is strengthening ties on strategic minerals with Saudi Arabia and expanding cooperation frameworks with partners like Sweden, while coal output and export logistics remain a key environmental and economic pressure point.

Lake Balkhash Protection: Kazakhstan and France stepped up long-term efforts to protect Lake Balkhash, including a master plan and basin-focused research on water allocation under changing climate. One Health in Central Asia: Regional consultations for the “One Health in Central Asia” program wrapped up, aiming to align pandemic prevention, food-system sustainability, and ecosystem health ahead of a June 25 council meeting. Climate Signal: NOAA confirmed El Niño onset, warning it could intensify global warming and drive extreme weather risks worldwide. Water & Research: French experts, alongside Kazakh ministries and agencies, shared interim findings for sustainable water management in the Balkhash-Alakol basin, including glacier runoff and digital scenario tools. Wildlife Conservation: Central Asian countries discussed wildlife and landscape protection, highlighting transboundary ecosystems and species like snow leopard and saiga. Mining & Critical Minerals: Kazakhstan and Saudi Arabia signed an MoU to expand mining cooperation across exploration, technology, and value-chain investment, while U.S. investors signaled growing interest in processing and metallurgy. Coal Exports: Kazakhstan reported strong coal output and export figures for early 2026, stressing domestic supply first while keeping export routes viable. Geological Exploration Push: Kazakhstan plans about $470m for geological exploration in 2026-2028 to support future mining and higher-value production.

Lake Balkhash Protection: Kazakhstan and France advanced a long-term master plan to preserve Lake Balkhash, with interim research on agriculture impacts, hydrology, glacier runoff, hydrogeology, and water-allocation modeling under changing climate conditions. UN SDG Support: Kazakhstan will allocate $3 million per year (2025–2029) to strengthen a UN regional center in Almaty, backing climate resilience, sustainable development, and regional cooperation. One Health in Central Asia: Central Asian countries concluded regional consultations to finalize a strategic regulatory package for pandemic prevention, food-system sustainability, and ecosystem health ahead of the June 25 coordinating council meeting. Mining & Critical Minerals: Kazakhstan is deepening ties with the EU and partners on critical raw materials and trade; meanwhile, Saudi Arabia and Kazakhstan signed an MoU to expand mining cooperation across the value chain. Coal & Exports: Coal output and exports remain central to energy and jobs, with industry reporting strong first-quarter production and continued reliance on export routes. Uranium Market Watch: Global uranium pricing is increasingly driven by transport and storage constraints, with “just-in-case” storage strategies shaping 2026 spot volatility.

Lake Balkhash Protection: Kazakhstan and France presented interim findings for a master plan to safeguard the Lake Balkhash ecosystem, with a final strategy due by year-end; the work focuses on hydrology, glacier runoff, groundwater, agriculture and water-allocation scenarios through 2040. Water Security & Research: A joint Kazakh-French project is also advancing sustainable water management in the Balkhash-Alakol basin, using forecasting and digital tools to support basin decisions under climate change. UN Climate/SDG Funding: Kazakhstan will allocate $3 million per year (2025–2029) to a UN Regional Center in Almaty to strengthen regional coordination on sustainable development and climate resilience. Wildlife & Biodiversity: Central Asian countries signed a mountain ecosystem declaration at a GEF event, aiming to protect transboundary habitats and wildlife such as snow leopard, argali and saiga. Coal & Exports: Kazakhstan mined nearly 29 million tons of coal in Q1 2026 and exported 7.1 million tons, while industry stresses exports must not undermine domestic supply. Geology & Mining Push: Kazakhstan plans about $470 million in geological exploration for 2026–2028 to expand mapping and support future mining and higher-value production. Volunteering for the Environment: Kazakhstan reported about 120,000 volunteers in the Taza Kazakhstan environmental campaign since the start of 2026, alongside broader volunteer actions tied to sustainable development.

Lake Balkhash Protection: Kazakhstan and France shared interim findings for a long-term master plan to protect Lake Balkhash, with a final strategy due by year-end. The working group reviewed hydrology, glacier runoff, groundwater, agriculture impacts, and water allocation, aiming to build tools for forecasting future water availability through 2040 and guide ecosystem conservation and sustainable use. Climate Finance & Nature Credits: Solis Capital announced a carbon stream financing vehicle for high-integrity voluntary carbon projects, with an initial focus on Central Asia, including Kazakhstan—supporting upfront and milestone-based funding in exchange for verified carbon credits tied to strict additionality, leakage controls, permanence, and third-party verification. Forest Fire Readiness: Kazakhstan developed and tested a prototype high-mobility firefighting vehicle designed for large-scale forest fires after the 2023 Abai wildfire, with field trials across several regions and a design built for off-road response and rapid deployment. Wildlife Reintroduction: Przewalski’s horses released from the Hortobágy program have successfully adapted to Kazakhstan’s Altyn Dala area, with health checks and welfare support credited for the smooth transition. Regional Climate Governance: A Central Asia Climate Change Conference is described as evolving into a platform for joint action, reflecting the region’s push for coordinated, regular mechanisms to turn climate commitments into shared responses and mobilize climate finance.

Lake Balkhash Conservation: Kazakhstan and France are drafting a long-term master plan to protect Lake Balkhash’s ecosystem, with Astana working groups reviewing hydrology, glacier runoff, groundwater, water use and climate-change scenarios. Forest Fire Readiness: The Ecology Ministry says Kazakhstan has built and field-tested a prototype high-mobility firefighting vehicle designed for large-scale forest fires after the 2023 Abai wildfire. Water Security Push: Kazakhstan reports major investment in irrigation and drainage—concreting canals, expanding water-saving irrigation, and using a digital model for irrigation infrastructure—while also noting over 6 billion cubic meters of water sent to the Caspian Sea since the year began. One Health for Central Asia: A new regional One Health secretariat has been set up to coordinate cross-border work on zoonotic diseases, antimicrobial resistance and food safety, hosted by CAREC. Wildlife Reintroduction: Przewalski’s horses have been released from the Hortobágy reserve into Kazakhstan’s Altyn Dala area, with officials citing good health and adaptation after transport. Nuclear Test Ban Reminder: A joint NGO statement ahead of the NPT Review Conference reiterates the environmental and health harm from past nuclear explosive testing and calls for universal compliance with the CTBT’s zero-yield norm.

EU Supply-Chain Shift: The European Commission is weighing tougher rules for sensitive sectors, pushing firms to avoid single-source dependence and keep at least three suppliers—an approach that could reward Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan if they move beyond raw-material exports into processing and logistics. One Health Platform: A new One Health regional secretariat for pandemic prevention, food systems resilience, and ecosystem health is set to coordinate cross-border work on zoonotic diseases, antimicrobial resistance, and food safety across Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. Water Investment Push: Kazakhstan says it invested 676.7 bln tenge in the water sector over two years, concreted 1,500 km of canals, cleaned 3,158 km, and saved 874 mln cubic meters via water-saving tech—while directing over 6 bln cubic meters into the Caspian Sea since the year began. Critical Minerals Diplomacy: Astana hosted the C5+1 Critical Minerals Dialogue with the US to strengthen exploration, processing, and supply-chain links for strategic raw materials. Investor Protection: Kazakhstan plans regional “investment prosecutors” and a pre-trial dispute platform under the Prosecutor General to speed up investor-state disagreements.

Water & Land Cooperation: Central Asia launched the GEF-backed CAWLN Water–Land Nexus Programme, aiming to tackle shrinking rivers, land degradation and rising temperatures across Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. Water Quality Standards: CAREC held a Shymkent workshop to strengthen regional water quality monitoring and risk-based assessment methods, with Kazhydromet and counterparts from across the region. Climate Finance Capacity: Almaty hosted a Green Climate Fund concept note training to help Central Asian countries access climate money for environmentally focused projects. Locust Control Innovation: Kazakhstan and China completed field trials of an eco-friendly fungal biopesticide (Metarhizium anisopliae) against Moroccan locusts in Turkestan, showing strong mortality and pointing to lower-impact pest management. Biodiversity & Conservation: Kazakhstan-linked wildlife news includes the first snow leopard cubs born at Marwell Wildlife Zoo in over a decade, highlighting ongoing big-cat conservation efforts. Investor Protection (Environment-linked): Kazakhstan announced regional investment prosecutors and a pre-trial dispute platform to improve the investment climate—relevant for funding sustainable projects.

Water Quality & Lab Capacity: A CAREC workshop in Shymkent (June 3–4) focused on improving surface-water monitoring and building a flexible, risk-based method for water quality assessment. Climate Finance Readiness: In Almaty, a 9–12 June training on Green Climate Fund concept notes aims to help Central Asian countries unlock climate funding for projects tackling glacier melt, heat, and shifting rainfall. Locust Control (Greener Pest Defense): Kazakhstan and China completed field trials of a fungal biopesticide (Metarhizium anisopliae) against Moroccan locusts in Turkestan; infection signs appeared by day 3 and mortality reached 70–80% by day 5. Regional Water-Land Cooperation: The GEF-backed CAWLN Water-Land Nexus program moved into implementation, uniting Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan to manage stressed Amudarya and Syrdarya basins for 60 million people. Disaster Risk Policy: Kazakhstan removed a draft law on mandatory housing insurance against natural disasters from its 2026 legislative plan.

Biopesticide Trials: Kazakhstan and China report field success using an eco-friendly fungal biopesticide (Metarhizium anisopliae) against Moroccan locusts in Turkestan’s Kazygurt district, with infection signs by day 3 and 70–80% mortality by day 5—aimed at greener, lower-chemical pest control. Water Quality Standards: A CAREC workshop in Shymkent (June 3–4) focused on harmonizing water quality monitoring and lab methods, building a risk-based approach for assessing surface water across Central Asia. Climate Finance Skills: In Almaty, a June 9–12 training workshop helps Central Asian teams develop Green Climate Fund concept notes, targeting stronger access to climate funding amid rising heat, glacier melt, and shifting rainfall. Water-Land Nexus: Ministers from five Central Asian states met under the GEF/FAO Central Asia Water-Land Nexus programme to tackle mounting water and land pressures affecting about 60 million people. Disaster Risk Policy: Kazakhstan removed a draft law on mandatory housing insurance against natural disasters from its 2026 legislative plan. Cloud-Seeding Debate: Kazakhstan’s cloud-seeding trial in Turkestan (with UAE support) is drawing regional concern from Kyrgyzstan over possible cross-border climate impacts. Energy Market Watch: The IEA warns global oil markets face sharper volatility as demand softens and disruptions reshape flows, relevant as Kazakhstan works to stabilize output.

Disaster Risk Policy: Kazakhstan’s government has dropped a draft law on mandatory housing insurance against natural disasters from its 2026 legislative plan, delaying expected August submissions. Water Security: Kazakhstan has sent 6.16 billion cubic meters of water into the Caspian Sea since the start of 2026, as officials and experts warn the sea’s long-term decline threatens ecosystems and regional economies. Biodiversity Protection: Kazakhstan plans to expand national parks and reserves by 20,000 sq km by 2035 under a new biodiversity strategy, aiming to raise forest cover and strengthen conservation across key habitats. Wildlife Update: A rare Persian leopard was spotted in Kazakhstan’s Ustyurt nature reserve, with staff monitoring the animal’s movements to support endangered-species research. Green Investment Push: Kazakhstan and the EBRD signed a new five-year Enhanced Partnership Framework to back low-carbon development, clean technologies, and nature-based solutions, including water and wastewater projects. Regional Climate Context: Central Asia’s water crisis is increasingly seen as a regional economic risk, with climate pressure and weaker coordination accelerating stress.

Water Security: Kazakhstan has sent 6.16 billion cubic meters of water into the Caspian Sea since the start of 2026, with officials citing long-term water-level decline risks and noting that nearly half came from redirected Ural River floodwaters after the 2024 spring floods. Biodiversity Protection: Kazakhstan plans to expand national parks and reserves by 20,000 sq km by 2035 under a 2026-2035 biodiversity concept, aiming to lift protected areas to 332,000 sq km and increase forest cover. Wildlife Conservation: A rare Persian leopard has been recorded at the Ustyurt nature reserve, underscoring the reserve’s role for endangered species monitoring and protection. Green Growth Finance: Kazakhstan and the EBRD signed a new Enhanced Partnership Framework through 2030, prioritizing low-carbon transition, clean technologies, nature-based solutions, and water and wastewater investment. Regional Water Governance: Kazakhstan advanced an International Water Organization proposal at UNESCO, arguing it could improve global coordination and reduce fragmentation in water governance. Energy & Environment Data: Shell will help digitize Kazakhstan’s geological archives via a GIS pilot, aiming to improve exploration efficiency while supporting sustainable sector growth. Oil Market Pressure: OPEC+ agreed to raise output in July, but analysts say physical impact may be limited as Middle East tensions and Hormuz disruption keep supply risks high.

Caspian Sea Crisis: UNEP warns the Caspian could significantly shallow over the next 50 years as climate change boosts evaporation, threatening biodiversity (including sturgeon spawning routes and the Caspian seal), plus ports, fishing, and tourism across Azerbaijan, Iran, Kazakhstan, Russia, and Turkmenistan. Water & Drought Risk: Kazakhstan’s cloud-seeding experiment (with the UAE) aims to boost rainfall over 900,000 hectares in Turkistan, but neighbors fear cross-border impacts as weather modification becomes a geopolitical flashpoint. Wildlife Conservation: Central Asian countries agreed to jointly preserve the snow leopard, adding momentum to regional biodiversity protection. Green Education & Waste: Turkey’s TIKA showcased recycling and zero-waste projects, including a Zero Waste Education Laboratory in Kazakhstan, at Istanbul’s Zero Waste Festival. Energy & Environment: OPEC core members including Kazakhstan agreed to raise July output despite supply shocks, while separate coverage highlights Kazakhstan’s push toward sustainable development and investor protections that could shape future environmental outcomes.

Cloud-Seeding Debate: Kazakhstan’s first large-scale cloud-seeding program (started May 17) in Turkistan—aimed at boosting rainfall over 900,000 hectares—has triggered cross-border worries, with Iran and others questioning whether weather modification could spill over into neighboring countries. Caspian Sea Alarm: UNEP warns the Caspian Sea could keep shrinking over the next 50 years due to climate-driven evaporation, threatening biodiversity (including sturgeon and the Caspian seal) and hitting ports, fishing, and tourism—calling for joint action by Caspian states. Snow Leopard Cooperation: Central Asian countries agreed at GEF in Samarkand to jointly preserve snow leopards and other transboundary wildlife, plus strengthen mountain ecosystem resilience through a regional GEF-9 vision. Youth Plastic Cleanup: Kazakhstan’s ReStart eco project mobilized 23 universities and 220,000 students, collecting and sorting 60+ tons of plastic waste under Taza Qazaqstan. Przewalski’s Horses Return: Kazakhstan received the first two of four Przewalski’s horses for reintroduction into the Altyn Dala reserve, continuing wildlife recovery efforts. Zero Waste Festival: TIKA showcased recycling and waste-management projects, including a Kazakhstan Zero Waste Education Laboratory, at Istanbul’s Zero Waste Festival.

Caspian Sea Crisis: UNEP warns the Caspian could shallow sharply over the next 50 years as climate change boosts evaporation, threatening biodiversity (including sturgeon spawning routes and the Caspian seal) and hitting ports, fishing, and tourism; UNEP urges joint action under the 2003 Tehran Convention. Aral Sea Lessons: A report revisits how the Aral Sea shrank by over 90% since the 1960s, leaving rusting vessels on the dried seabed, while China and Central Asian partners support monitoring and restoration work on water conservation and desertification control. Biodiversity Cooperation: Central Asian states signed a regional push to preserve the snow leopard and other transboundary wildlife, plus mountain ecosystem resilience, with plans for ecological corridors and wildlife monitoring. Youth Plastic Cleanup: Kazakhstan’s ReStart eco project brought together 23 universities and 220,000 students, collecting and sorting 60+ tons of plastic and reinforcing the Taza Qazaqstan clean-up culture. World Environment Day in Kazakhstan: An international ecology and climate forum in Astana highlighted Kazakhstan’s sustainable development path and environmental cooperation priorities. Green Urban Sustainability: Astana and Tokyo renewed cooperation via a digital development and urban sustainability MOU, aiming to improve urban environmental quality and governance efficiency.

Caspian Sea Crisis: UNEP warns the Caspian could shallow sharply over the next 50 years as climate change boosts evaporation, threatening biodiversity (including sturgeon spawning routes and the Caspian seal), plus ports, fishing, and tourism—urging joint action under the 2003 Tehran Convention. Youth Waste Action: Kazakhstan’s ReStart Eco Project mobilized 23 universities and 220,000 students across 10+ regions, collecting and sorting 60+ tons of plastic waste and pushing Taza Qazaqstan-style ecological culture. Biodiversity Cooperation: Central Asian countries agreed to jointly preserve the snow leopard and strengthen mountain ecosystem resilience, with a regional vision for GEF-9 biodiversity funding discussed at GEF’s Samarkand assembly. Climate Finance Skills: A regional workshop in Almaty (June 9–12) will train Central Asian climate finance stakeholders to draft stronger Green Climate Fund concept notes. Wildlife Reintroduction: Kazakhstan continued Przewalski’s horse restoration with new wild releases and arrivals, supporting recovery in protected steppe habitats. Urban Sustainability Link: Astana and Tokyo highlighted cooperation on digital development and urban sustainability, including green energy priorities for improving city governance and environmental quality.