According to the UN News Service, despite high access to clean water and sanitation, Kazakhstan faces challenges such as interruptions in water supply and insufficient wastewater treatment. Additionally, climate change, outdated infrastructure, and disparities in development levels between urban and rural areas exacerbate the situation.
Tatyana Molchan, Executive Secretary of the UNECE, emphasized the importance of Kazakhstan's participation in this protocol, which is expected to contribute to improving access to safe water and sanitation in the region. She urged other Central Asian countries to follow this example.
As part of its commitments, Kazakhstan will work towards achieving national goals in water resource protection, improving sanitation and public health, and will regularly inform the public about the results achieved. In 2026, the republic will conduct an assessment of the situation regarding access to water and sanitation, which will serve as preparation for the UN Water Conference in 2026.
The Protocol, adopted in 1999, aims to protect health, ensure sustainable water resource management, and achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. For Kazakhstan, it will come into force on April 5, 2026.
