International water diplomacy refers to the multidimensional stages of negotiation, partnership, and agreement conducted among countries, regional organizations, and international institutions regarding the joint use, conservation, and management of transboundary water reserves. In particular, the fair and sustainable sharing of transboundary reserves such as rivers, lakes, and groundwater sources is of critical importance for regional stability and environmental security.
Water diplomacy is not only an environmental issue but is also directly linked to food security, economic development, energy production, and societal welfare. The issue of international water diplomacy is grounded in legal frameworks through international legal instruments such as the 1997 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Non-Navigational Uses of International Watercourses. In this way, mutual obligations and various rights are granted between countries, enabling the resolution of potential disputes through diplomatic means.
Central Asia is one of the most critical regions that has experienced regional crises regarding water sharing following the dissolution of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR). The upstream countries, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan, control the water reserves, while the downstream countries, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan, make intensive use of water for agriculture and energy production. Due to this asymmetric structure, the region has frequently witnessed tensions over water sharing.
In recent years, the global decline in water reserves and the increasing environmental risks associated with climate change have made water security a strategic priority, particularly for Central Asian countries. The region’s dependence on transboundary water resources and its shortcomings in intergovernmental partnerships bring with them risks of environmental and political instability. In this context, the statements made by President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev in 2025 are noteworthy in revealing Kazakhstan’s approach to water security and its vision for regional cooperation. Tokayev positions both domestic water management reforms and the water diplomacy conducted with neighboring countries as a priority state policy and is implementing new legal regulations in this framework.
In 2023, Kazakhstan strengthened sectoral institutionalization by establishing the Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation and adopted a new Water Law in the same year.[1] With this legal regulation, the definition of “water security” was officially incorporated into the country’s legal system, and new mechanisms for the protection of water reserves were introduced. As emphasized by President Tokayev, water security constitutes one of the most urgent environmental and political issues of our time. Therefore, the effective management of water resources should be considered not only a national but also a regional responsibility.[2]
Kazakhstan’s water diplomacy conducted jointly with neighboring countries in the management of transboundary river basins is also noteworthy. Reiterating his proposal to establish a Water and Energy Consortium with the participation of Central Asian states, Tokayev emphasized that, thanks to the partnership conducted in 2024, farmers’ water needs were fully met and that this approach would be sustained in the coming years. This initiative carries strategic importance in resolving water-sharing problems in Central Asia and preventing potential crises stemming from water scarcity.
The sustainability of Kazakhstan’s internal water reserves is also at the center of state policies. President Tokayev referred to the longstanding, meticulous efforts to preserve the Caspian Sea, Lake Balkhash, and particularly the Small Aral Sea, and stated that, as a result, the water level of the Small Aral had begun to rise again. [3]These efforts contribute significantly to the restoration of environmental ecosystems and the regional climate balance.
President Tokayev also emphasized that Kazakhstan plays an active role in international water diplomacy. In this context, he participated in the One Water Summit held in Saudi Arabia, where he presented Kazakhstan’s water security policy to the international community and announced that Kazakhstan will host the Regional Ecology Summit in 2026 under the auspices of the United Nations.[4]
In conclusion, Kazakhstan considers water security not merely as an environmental issue but as a strategic priority for ensuring national development, social welfare, and regional stability. The recent statements by President Tokayev and the legal regulations put into practice demonstrate Kazakhstan’s commitment to protecting its water reserves and conducting active partnerships in the management of transboundary waters. Especially in a region like Central Asia, where water resources are limited and their distribution problematic, Kazakhstan’s policy serves as a significant example for strengthening regional environmental diplomacy and sustainable resource management.
In addition, the expansion of water purification infrastructure within the country, the further improvement of access to drinking water in rural areas, and the efforts aimed at training qualified human resources are among the key elements that reinforce the societal dimension of the long-term water security strategy. Furthermore, the ongoing efforts to revive the Small Aral Sea and to preserve critical water reserves such as the Caspian Sea and Lake Balkhash reflect Kazakhstan’s perspective aligned with environmental sustainability objectives.
[1] “Toqayev Highlights Water Security as a National Priority”, ORDA, https://en.orda.kz/toqayev-highlights-water-security-as-a-national-priority-7284/, (Accessed Date: 12.07.2025).
[2] “President Tokayev Highlights Water Security as Kazakhstan’s Priority”, The Astana Times, https://astanatimes.com/2025/07/president-tokayev-highlights-water-security-as-kazakhstans-priority/, (Accessed Date: 12.07.2025).
[3] “Tokayev: Water Security Represents Top Priority for Kazakhstan’s Future”, The Caspian Post, https://caspianpost.com/kazakhstan/tokayev-water-security-represents-top-priority-for-kazakhstan-s-future, (Accessed Date: 12.07.2025).
[4] Ibid.
