2025, October 10
Share this articleExperts Discussed the Water Code and Water Resource Management
The Central Asia Water Conference 2025 took place at Nazarbayev University (NU). The conference focused on the intersection of public policy and water resource management in the mining sector. Hydrogeologists, geologists, environmental specialists, government representatives, and mining industry leaders from Central Asia and beyond discussed pressing challenges, shared experiences and best practices, and explored opportunities to strengthen collaboration between government, science, and industry.
The event comes shortly after Kazakhstan’s new Water Code entered into force on June 10, marking a significant step in reforming national water legislation. The updated framework, introduced by the Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation, aims to strengthen water governance, promote sustainable use, and ensure equitable access to water for all citizens. Against this backdrop, the conference provided a timely platform to discuss how science-driven approaches can support effective policy implementation.
Opening the event, H.E. Marcel Biato, Ambassador of Brazil to Kazakhstan, underlined the importance of international cooperation in water resource management.
“Advances over the years in this field have enabled Brazil to become a top exporter of agricultural goods, as well as a leading processor of minerals,” said Ambassador Biato. “For this reason, I believe Brazil's technical expertise and proven track record can be put to the service of Kazakhstan. Ultimately, however, water is not a purely local or even national issue — Kazakhstan’s hydrological resources form part of a regional network covering all of Central Asia.”
He added that the conference is about more than technology and data analysis, offering “an opportunity to discuss comparative experiences in developing an integrated, coordinated approach to resource management,” and emphasized that “only thus can we ensure that water does not become a source of dispute, but rather a means to promote closer integration and cooperation between the countries of Central Asia.”
Representing NU, Professor Riccardo Pelizzo, Vice Dean for Academic Affairs at the Graduate School of Public Policy, highlighted the urgency of water management as a national and regional policy issue.
“One of the most important policy areas that we have right now in Kazakhstan is water management. It’s a pressing issue that will become even more significant in the coming years due to climate change and population growth,” said Professor Pelizzo. “At our School, we often say that governance matters — and that the best policies are evidence-based. For that to happen, policymakers and experts must work together. This forum provides exactly that opportunity to bridge the gap between the two, and to inform policy design and implementation with new evidence.”
The conference program features technical keynotes, expert panels, and practical case studies on sustainable water use in mining, emphasizing actionable insights and regional cooperation. The event reaffirms NU’s commitment to hosting meaningful dialogues that connect science, policy, and industry for sustainable development across Central Asia.
