Bektenov proposes UN-backed international water organization at COP31

Kazakh Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov called on partners in Antalya to support President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s initiative for a UN water organization. Kyrgyzstan and Moldova also called for more accessible climate financing at the same venue.

Kazakhstan has proposed creating an international water organization under the auspices of the United Nations to strengthen global cooperation on water security. Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov made the proposal on Wednesday, November 11, at the UN COP31 climate conference in Antalya, Türkiye, Anadolu reported.

Bektenov said Central Asia faces growing challenges, including rising temperatures, shrinking glaciers, desertification and water shortages. These challenges require closer regional cooperation. He called on international partners to support the initiative put forward by Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.

Пленарное заседание сегмента высокого уровня COP31 в Анталье

Carbon neutrality by 2060

The head of Kazakhstan’s government reaffirmed the country’s commitment to the Paris Agreement and its goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2060. He said the share of renewables in Kazakhstan’s electricity generation had quadrupled over six years to 8% and is expected to reach 15% by 2030. Bektenov also recalled the work with Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan on a green energy corridor to supply clean electricity to international markets.

Mountain center for Kyrgyzstan and fund for Issyk-Kul

Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of Kyrgyzstan Adylbek Kasymaliev called for increased climate financing for mountain countries and proposed creating a Global Center for the Resilience of Mountain Regions. He also asked for support for declaring 2028–2037 the UN Decade for Strengthening the Resilience of Mountain Regions and recalled the initiative to establish an international trust fund for Lake Issyk-Kul, to which President Sadyr Japarov allocated $10 million from the state budget.

Moldovan Prime Minister Vasile Tofan called for more accessible climate financing. He said the share of renewables in the country’s electricity sector had risen from approximately 3% six years ago to nearly 30%, while Chișinău plans to reduce net greenhouse gas emissions by 75% by 2035.

Photo: Anadolu, Press Service of the President of Maldives. Source: Anadolu.

Bektenov proposes UN-backed international water organization at COP31