AGP Executive Report

Water Quality & Lab Capacity: A CAREC workshop in Shymkent (June 3–4) focused on improving surface-water monitoring and building a flexible, risk-based method for water quality assessment. Climate Finance Readiness: In Almaty, a 9–12 June training on Green Climate Fund concept notes aims to help Central Asian countries unlock climate funding for projects tackling glacier melt, heat, and shifting rainfall. Locust Control (Greener Pest Defense): Kazakhstan and China completed field trials of a fungal biopesticide (Metarhizium anisopliae) against Moroccan locusts in Turkestan; infection signs appeared by day 3 and mortality reached 70–80% by day 5. Regional Water-Land Cooperation: The GEF-backed CAWLN Water-Land Nexus program moved into implementation, uniting Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan to manage stressed Amudarya and Syrdarya basins for 60 million people. Disaster Risk Policy: Kazakhstan removed a draft law on mandatory housing insurance against natural disasters from its 2026 legislative plan.

Biopesticide Trials: Kazakhstan and China report field success using an eco-friendly fungal biopesticide (Metarhizium anisopliae) against Moroccan locusts in Turkestan’s Kazygurt district, with infection signs by day 3 and 70–80% mortality by day 5—aimed at greener, lower-chemical pest control. Water Quality Standards: A CAREC workshop in Shymkent (June 3–4) focused on harmonizing water quality monitoring and lab methods, building a risk-based approach for assessing surface water across Central Asia. Climate Finance Skills: In Almaty, a June 9–12 training workshop helps Central Asian teams develop Green Climate Fund concept notes, targeting stronger access to climate funding amid rising heat, glacier melt, and shifting rainfall. Water-Land Nexus: Ministers from five Central Asian states met under the GEF/FAO Central Asia Water-Land Nexus programme to tackle mounting water and land pressures affecting about 60 million people. Disaster Risk Policy: Kazakhstan removed a draft law on mandatory housing insurance against natural disasters from its 2026 legislative plan. Cloud-Seeding Debate: Kazakhstan’s cloud-seeding trial in Turkestan (with UAE support) is drawing regional concern from Kyrgyzstan over possible cross-border climate impacts. Energy Market Watch: The IEA warns global oil markets face sharper volatility as demand softens and disruptions reshape flows, relevant as Kazakhstan works to stabilize output.

Disaster Risk Policy: Kazakhstan’s government has dropped a draft law on mandatory housing insurance against natural disasters from its 2026 legislative plan, delaying expected August submissions. Water Security: Kazakhstan has sent 6.16 billion cubic meters of water into the Caspian Sea since the start of 2026, as officials and experts warn the sea’s long-term decline threatens ecosystems and regional economies. Biodiversity Protection: Kazakhstan plans to expand national parks and reserves by 20,000 sq km by 2035 under a new biodiversity strategy, aiming to raise forest cover and strengthen conservation across key habitats. Wildlife Update: A rare Persian leopard was spotted in Kazakhstan’s Ustyurt nature reserve, with staff monitoring the animal’s movements to support endangered-species research. Green Investment Push: Kazakhstan and the EBRD signed a new five-year Enhanced Partnership Framework to back low-carbon development, clean technologies, and nature-based solutions, including water and wastewater projects. Regional Climate Context: Central Asia’s water crisis is increasingly seen as a regional economic risk, with climate pressure and weaker coordination accelerating stress.

Water Security: Kazakhstan has sent 6.16 billion cubic meters of water into the Caspian Sea since the start of 2026, with officials citing long-term water-level decline risks and noting that nearly half came from redirected Ural River floodwaters after the 2024 spring floods. Biodiversity Protection: Kazakhstan plans to expand national parks and reserves by 20,000 sq km by 2035 under a 2026-2035 biodiversity concept, aiming to lift protected areas to 332,000 sq km and increase forest cover. Wildlife Conservation: A rare Persian leopard has been recorded at the Ustyurt nature reserve, underscoring the reserve’s role for endangered species monitoring and protection. Green Growth Finance: Kazakhstan and the EBRD signed a new Enhanced Partnership Framework through 2030, prioritizing low-carbon transition, clean technologies, nature-based solutions, and water and wastewater investment. Regional Water Governance: Kazakhstan advanced an International Water Organization proposal at UNESCO, arguing it could improve global coordination and reduce fragmentation in water governance. Energy & Environment Data: Shell will help digitize Kazakhstan’s geological archives via a GIS pilot, aiming to improve exploration efficiency while supporting sustainable sector growth. Oil Market Pressure: OPEC+ agreed to raise output in July, but analysts say physical impact may be limited as Middle East tensions and Hormuz disruption keep supply risks high.

Caspian Sea Crisis: UNEP warns the Caspian could significantly shallow over the next 50 years as climate change boosts evaporation, threatening biodiversity (including sturgeon spawning routes and the Caspian seal), plus ports, fishing, and tourism across Azerbaijan, Iran, Kazakhstan, Russia, and Turkmenistan. Water & Drought Risk: Kazakhstan’s cloud-seeding experiment (with the UAE) aims to boost rainfall over 900,000 hectares in Turkistan, but neighbors fear cross-border impacts as weather modification becomes a geopolitical flashpoint. Wildlife Conservation: Central Asian countries agreed to jointly preserve the snow leopard, adding momentum to regional biodiversity protection. Green Education & Waste: Turkey’s TIKA showcased recycling and zero-waste projects, including a Zero Waste Education Laboratory in Kazakhstan, at Istanbul’s Zero Waste Festival. Energy & Environment: OPEC core members including Kazakhstan agreed to raise July output despite supply shocks, while separate coverage highlights Kazakhstan’s push toward sustainable development and investor protections that could shape future environmental outcomes.

Cloud-Seeding Debate: Kazakhstan’s first large-scale cloud-seeding program (started May 17) in Turkistan—aimed at boosting rainfall over 900,000 hectares—has triggered cross-border worries, with Iran and others questioning whether weather modification could spill over into neighboring countries. Caspian Sea Alarm: UNEP warns the Caspian Sea could keep shrinking over the next 50 years due to climate-driven evaporation, threatening biodiversity (including sturgeon and the Caspian seal) and hitting ports, fishing, and tourism—calling for joint action by Caspian states. Snow Leopard Cooperation: Central Asian countries agreed at GEF in Samarkand to jointly preserve snow leopards and other transboundary wildlife, plus strengthen mountain ecosystem resilience through a regional GEF-9 vision. Youth Plastic Cleanup: Kazakhstan’s ReStart eco project mobilized 23 universities and 220,000 students, collecting and sorting 60+ tons of plastic waste under Taza Qazaqstan. Przewalski’s Horses Return: Kazakhstan received the first two of four Przewalski’s horses for reintroduction into the Altyn Dala reserve, continuing wildlife recovery efforts. Zero Waste Festival: TIKA showcased recycling and waste-management projects, including a Kazakhstan Zero Waste Education Laboratory, at Istanbul’s Zero Waste Festival.

Caspian Sea Crisis: UNEP warns the Caspian could shallow sharply over the next 50 years as climate change boosts evaporation, threatening biodiversity (including sturgeon spawning routes and the Caspian seal) and hitting ports, fishing, and tourism; UNEP urges joint action under the 2003 Tehran Convention. Aral Sea Lessons: A report revisits how the Aral Sea shrank by over 90% since the 1960s, leaving rusting vessels on the dried seabed, while China and Central Asian partners support monitoring and restoration work on water conservation and desertification control. Biodiversity Cooperation: Central Asian states signed a regional push to preserve the snow leopard and other transboundary wildlife, plus mountain ecosystem resilience, with plans for ecological corridors and wildlife monitoring. Youth Plastic Cleanup: Kazakhstan’s ReStart eco project brought together 23 universities and 220,000 students, collecting and sorting 60+ tons of plastic and reinforcing the Taza Qazaqstan clean-up culture. World Environment Day in Kazakhstan: An international ecology and climate forum in Astana highlighted Kazakhstan’s sustainable development path and environmental cooperation priorities. Green Urban Sustainability: Astana and Tokyo renewed cooperation via a digital development and urban sustainability MOU, aiming to improve urban environmental quality and governance efficiency.

Caspian Sea Crisis: UNEP warns the Caspian could shallow sharply over the next 50 years as climate change boosts evaporation, threatening biodiversity (including sturgeon spawning routes and the Caspian seal), plus ports, fishing, and tourism—urging joint action under the 2003 Tehran Convention. Youth Waste Action: Kazakhstan’s ReStart Eco Project mobilized 23 universities and 220,000 students across 10+ regions, collecting and sorting 60+ tons of plastic waste and pushing Taza Qazaqstan-style ecological culture. Biodiversity Cooperation: Central Asian countries agreed to jointly preserve the snow leopard and strengthen mountain ecosystem resilience, with a regional vision for GEF-9 biodiversity funding discussed at GEF’s Samarkand assembly. Climate Finance Skills: A regional workshop in Almaty (June 9–12) will train Central Asian climate finance stakeholders to draft stronger Green Climate Fund concept notes. Wildlife Reintroduction: Kazakhstan continued Przewalski’s horse restoration with new wild releases and arrivals, supporting recovery in protected steppe habitats. Urban Sustainability Link: Astana and Tokyo highlighted cooperation on digital development and urban sustainability, including green energy priorities for improving city governance and environmental quality.

Sustainable Development Push: President Tokayev says Kazakhstan is on the “main path” of sustainable development and should mark its 35th independence anniversary with measurable results, not symbolism. Investor Climate & Governance: Tokayev highlights the AIFC’s English-law court and arbitration model, plus an Investment Headquarters that resolves project issues quickly, while a new investor-rights protection committee sits under the Prosecutor General. Snow Leopard & Mountain Biodiversity: Central Asian states agreed to jointly protect the snow leopard and strengthen mountain ecosystem resilience under a GEF-linked regional vision for GEF-9, with Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan involved. Caspian Sea Decline: Kazakhstan’s water management remains tied to Caspian risks, as Kazakhstan has sent 6.16 billion m³ of water to the sea since early 2026, while Azerbaijan also set up joint working groups with Kazakhstan and others to study causes and monitoring. Climate Finance Capacity: A regional workshop in Almaty (June 9–12) will train Central Asian stakeholders to draft stronger Green Climate Fund concept notes. Road Durability Research: Kazakhstan’s transport ministry is testing local cement to create a new “Road Cement” standard for frost resistance and longer-lasting highways. Wildlife Reintroduction: Kazakhstan continues Przewalski’s horse releases, including new arrivals for reintroduction in Altyn Dala Reserve.

Caspian Sea Water Management: Kazakhstan has sent 6.16 billion cubic meters of water to the Caspian Sea since the start of 2026, after 35 billion cubic meters were delivered over the past 2.5 years, with abnormal floods in 2024 driving nearly half the total. Water-Saving Compliance: Under Kazakhstan’s new Water Code, industrial enterprises must inventory systems and develop five-year plans to shift to recycled water and modernize using best available technologies; 168 such plans are already in place, and water-saving irrigation adoption has accelerated fivefold. Climate Finance Capacity: A regional workshop in Almaty (June 9–12) will train Central Asia stakeholders on developing high-quality Green Climate Fund concept notes, including the Simplified Approval Process, to turn national climate priorities into fundable projects. Biodiversity & Shared Responsibility: A UNDP-linked regional message ahead of the GEF Assembly in Samarkand stresses that protecting biodiversity is tied to water, livelihoods, and resilience across Central Asia. Transport Infrastructure Durability: Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Transport is launching a nationwide study of domestically produced cement for roads to create a new “Road Cement” standard tailored to local climate needs, including frost resistance and long-term highway performance. One Health Preparedness: Central Asian countries reviewed progress on pandemic preparedness under the One Health approach, involving health, agriculture, and environment ministries alongside WHO, FAO, WOAH, UNEP, and CAREC.

Road & Materials Research: Kazakhstan’s transport ministry says KazdorNII has started a large study of domestically produced cement for road construction, aiming to set unified “Road Cement” requirements based on chemical and performance tests across regions. Education Infrastructure: Kazakhstan plans to commission 96 new schools by year-end and renovate 1,300 schools over three years, with more digital and inclusive learning support. Regional Development in Kostanay: First Deputy PM Nalibayev inspected the KIA Qazaqstan plant and the Tobyl transport-logistics complex, targeting higher transit capacity and jobs. Consular Protection: Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan signed a protocol after consular consultations, focusing on migration, citizen rights, legal cooperation, and modernizing consular services. Climate & Disaster Readiness: WMO warns El Niño may bring unusually heavy summer rains to Central Asia, including parts of Kazakhstan, alongside drought and heat risks. Biodiversity & Wildlife: Kazakhstan continues Przewalski’s horse conservation efforts, including new wild releases and additional arrivals planned. Green Finance Diplomacy: Uzbekistan used the GEF assembly in Samarkand to announce it will become a donor, while Kazakhstan’s president highlighted regional green initiatives tied to World Environment Day. Clean Air Cooperation: UNEP talks in the region discussed a potential clean air coalition and joint work on sand-and-dust impacts on health. Energy/Transit Context: The BTK railway’s full launch boosts freight capacity on the Middle Corridor, reinforcing Kazakhstan’s role in Eurasian logistics.

Climate Risk Watch: The UN’s WMO warns El Niño is likely to return this summer, raising the odds of unusually heavy rains across Central Asia, including parts of Kazakhstan—while also keeping heatwave and drought risks on the table. Biodiversity & Conservation: Kazakhstan is expanding its Przewalski’s horse reintroduction push, with more rare animals arriving and additional wild releases planned to strengthen Altyn Dala Reserve efforts. One Health & Environment: Central Asian countries, with the World Bank and UN partners, reviewed progress on a One Health approach to manage health risks across human, animal, and environmental systems—aiming to scale sustainable actions regionwide. Land & Water Sustainability: At ECO EXPO Central Asia 2026, FAO and GEF highlighted results from integrated natural resource management, including millions of hectares shifted toward sustainable land use and climate-resilient practices. Transport & Emissions Pressure: The Baku–Tbilisi–Kars railway entered full-scale operation, boosting freight capacity to 5 million tonnes a year—an important shift for Kazakhstan’s Middle Corridor role and the region’s logistics footprint. Disaster Response Modernization: Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Emergency Situations plans to add more Tesla Cybertrucks after a successful trial, aiming to improve rapid response capacity. Policy & Governance: Kazakhstan’s new labor legislation amendments expand worker protections and strengthen occupational safety rules, including clearer roles for safety inspectors. Regional Security Link: Kyrgyzstan’s election to the UN Security Council includes a stated focus on integrating climate, water, mountain, and environmental challenges into security planning.

Conservation & Wildlife: Kazakhstan received four more Przewalski’s horses for reintroduction into the Altyn Dala Reserve, with another group expected soon—part of a long-running effort to restore endangered species and protect habitat. Climate & Energy: Kazakhstan reported a 300 million kWh electricity surplus in the first five months of 2026, while planning new gas and renewable capacity to eliminate deficits by early 2027 and sustain surplus by 2029. Marine Pollution: On World Environment Day, UNDP and the NGO “Yash Tebigatchy” joined a coastal clean-up in Turkmenbashi to tackle Caspian Sea litter and boost youth-led environmental responsibility. Regional Environment Diplomacy: Kazakhstan showcased waste management, recycling and circular economy solutions at ECO EXPO Central Asia 2026 in Samarkand, alongside ECO environment ministers’ talks aimed at cross-border climate resilience. Emergency Response Modernization: Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Emergency Situations plans to expand its rescue fleet with additional Tesla Cybertrucks after successful real-world trials. Labor & Health Safety: Kazakhstan amended labor legislation to strengthen worker rights and occupational safety, including new rules for medical screening and clearer contract procedures. Food Prices & Agriculture: Kyrgyzstan discussed egg price spikes and a plan to stabilize essential goods, including faster imports via a “green corridor” if shortages hit. Biodiversity Education: UNDP-backed youth climate education and environmental awareness activities were highlighted in the region.

Wildlife Conservation: Four Przewalski’s horses arrived in Kazakhstan’s Kostanay region for a long adaptation period before release into the wild at the Altyn Dala Reserve, continuing the country’s reintroduction push with international partners. Energy & Climate Resilience: Kazakhstan reported a 300 million kWh electricity surplus in the first five months of 2026, with plans to commission 2.6 GW of new capacity (including wind, solar and hydro) to eliminate deficits by early 2027 and sustain surplus by 2029. Water & Ecosystems: CAREC is participating in the GEF Assembly and Eco Expo Central Asia 2026 in Samarkand, including a Central Asia water-land nexus workshop focused on ecosystem restoration and climate-smart solutions. Biodiversity & Habitat Protection: Kazakhstan’s conservation momentum also includes broader efforts to expand reintroduction and protect habitats for endangered species. Regional Environmental Context: The EBRD warned that Middle East conflict-driven energy shocks could slow growth across Central Asia, raising pressure on public finances and energy costs—factors that can indirectly affect environmental and infrastructure planning.

Biodiversity in Focus: Kazakhstan’s Mangystau region is investigating a new wave of wildlife deaths after nearly 20 dead Caspian seals were found along the Tupkaragan coast near Bautino, with eight sturgeon carcasses also reported; the regional Ecology Department collected water samples for lab testing, with results expected after analysis. Conservation & Species Recovery: Kazakhstan’s Przewalski’s horse reintroduction efforts continue, with new wild releases and ongoing arrivals tied to the Altyn Dala restoration push, while Prague Zoo’s transport of horses to Kostanay highlights the scale of preparation behind conservation logistics. Policy & Environment Culture: President Tokayev’s “Taza Qazaqstan” push is framed as a constitutional-level shift toward respectful treatment of nature, backed by millions of participants in cleanliness, waste collection, and tree-planting events. Regional Climate & Health: A World Bank official at Astana’s “One Health” session stressed that protecting human and animal health must start with environmental action, not just medical fixes. Infrastructure Planning: Tokayev reviewed progress on Alatau City, calling it a “city of accelerated development” with new governance and investment priorities that will shape future land use.

Wildlife & Biodiversity: Kyrgyzstan is set to open a specialized scientific and rehabilitation center for wild animals, with lab, veterinary and rehab units aimed at boosting biodiversity protection across Central Asia. Conservation in Kazakhstan: Prague Zoo’s Przewalski’s horses were transported to Kazakhstan for release efforts, adding to the country’s ongoing reintroduction work. Climate & Health Policy: A World Bank official urged Central Asia to treat the environment as a core driver of human and animal health under the “One Health” approach, calling for stronger public-private cooperation. Water & Climate Risks: Kyrgyzstan raised concerns that Kazakhstan’s “cloud-seeding” rain-making could shift weather patterns and harm fragile mountain ecosystems, urging talks on transboundary weather modification. Energy & Environment: Kazakhstan ordered Kashagan’s second-largest oilfield turnaround to be postponed to 2027, a move that could affect offshore operations and environmental management timelines. Green Development & Education: Kazakhstan-linked regional initiatives highlighted climate education and marine litter awareness in the Caspian area, pushing youth action on waste and responsible resource use.