Prime Minister of the Republic of Kazakhstan Olzhas Bektenov held a meeting with the heads of delegations from the member countries of the second session of the Board of the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea (IFAS), held under Kazakhstan’s chairmanship.

Kazakhstan attaches great importance to the activities of the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea and regards this organization as one of the effective instruments for addressing environmental issues and ensuring rational and mutually beneficial transboundary water use in the region.

The parties discussed joint measures to raise the water level of the Aral Sea, including within the framework of initiatives put forward by President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev in his Address to the Nation “Kazakhstan in the Era of Artificial Intelligence: Current Challenges and Their Solutions through Digital Transformation.”

In his remarks, Olzhas Bektenov noted that the heads of state of the IFAS member countries attach priority importance to the rational use of water and energy resources, which are of strategic significance for ensuring energy and food security.

He highlighted that the current year’s vegetation period was rather challenging. Despite the difficult conditions, constructive cooperation among the governments made it possible to maintain a stable water regime in the Aral Sea basin. The Prime Minister conveyed his gratitude to the heads of government of Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan, emphasizing that only through coordinated and prompt actions were serious losses avoided.

“Each country has its own national interests, and we must and will continue to defend them. However, I am convinced that our common strategic, long-term priority is good neighborly relations. While addressing daily and short-term tasks, we must not harm our long-term goals. I believe that together we will take measures to ensure that issues are always resolved on a mutually acceptable and beneficial basis,” Olzhas Bektenov emphasized.

As part of Kazakhstan’s chairmanship, one of the priority areas of work is digital transformation and the application of artificial intelligence in the water sector. The introduction of AI will ensure transparency in water use and help reduce water losses. The importance of joint efforts to implement a unified automated system for accounting, monitoring, management, and distribution of water resources in the Aral Sea basin was noted.

During the meeting, remarks were also made by Deputy Prime Minister of Tajikistan Ziyozoda Sulaimon, Advisor to the President of Uzbekistan Shukhrat Ganiyev, and Minister of Agriculture of Turkmenistan Charyyar Chetiyev.

Summing up the discussion, Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov reaffirmed Kazakhstan’s commitment to the principles of openness, solidarity, and constructive dialogue.

#Olzhas Bektenov #Ecology #International Cooperation #water resources

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