Translation. Region: Russian Federation –
Source: United Nations – United Nations –
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January 19, 2026 Climate and environment
Kazakhstan has become the 30th country to join the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE)-World Health Organization (WHO) Protocol on Water and Health, fulfilling a commitment made at the 2023 UN Water Conference.
Despite high levels of basic access to water and sanitation, Kazakhstan still faces challenges such as intermittent water supply and inadequate wastewater treatment. Climate change, deteriorating infrastructure, and persistent development disparities between urban and rural areas pose additional challenges.
Kazakhstan's Minister of Health, Akmaral Alnazarova, called her country's accession to the Protocol an important step in protecting public health and water resources. UNECE Executive Secretary Tatyana Molchan, in turn, emphasized that Kazakhstan's participation will strengthen regional efforts to ensure safe water and sanitation, and called on other Central Asian countries to follow suit.
Under the Protocol, Kazakhstan will continue to work towards achieving national goals in water resource protection, public health, and sanitation, and will regularly report on its progress. In 2026, the country will complete an assessment of equitable access to water and sanitation, which will serve as its contribution to preparations for the 2026 UN Water Conference.
Adopted in 1999, the Protocol aims to protect human health, sustainably manage water resources, and achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. For Kazakhstan, the Protocol will enter into force on April 5, 2026.
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