The draft Comprehensive Water Sector Development Plan for 2023-2025 was considered at the meeting of the Water Council of Kazakhstan chaired by Prime Minister Alikhan Smailov.

The Comprehensive Plan envisages development of a new version of the Water Code, establishment of a scientific centre for water resources and water management problems, implementation of economic mechanisms for regulation of water use, development of water infrastructure and other measures. 

In particular, it is planned to construct 8 new and reconstruct 16 emergency reservoirs in Akmola, Aktobe, Almaty, Zhambyl, East Kazakhstan and Karaganda regions, which will allow accumulating additional water volumes, decrease flood threat for 124 settlements and put into operation more than 170 thousand ha of new irrigated lands.

In addition, there are plans to reconstruct irrigation canals, automate main and inter-farm canals, and digitalise water resource management, which will significantly reduce water losses and overuse.

"In the next three years, we must address the most pressing issues that will have the greatest effect on the economy and citizens. Priority projects should be selected that, on the one hand, will give us the greatest effect, and on the other hand, will allow solving safety issues regarding those water facilities that need to be reconstructed first of all," Alikhan Smailov said.

The Prime Minister also added that the Comprehensive Plan should include measures to improve the training system for the sector, as well as the introduction of mechanisms for controlling water consumption using modern technological solutions and space monitoring.