International Water and Climate Forum "Balkhash - 2024: Challenges and Solutions"
It is aimed at uniting the efforts of civil society, scientists, cultural figures, government, business and the international community to jointly search for ways to preserve the ecosystem of the transboundary Balkhash-Alakol basin in the face of growing water, climate, environmental and socio-economic challenges.
The Forum will discuss practical actions of the state, local authorities and private sector to prevent ecological degradation, as well as innovative models of basin management based on the ecosystem approach and public participation.
The program will consider current and future strategies of major water users, as well as interdisciplinary interconnections of ecology, economy, history and culture of the region for joint actions to mitigate the consequences of increasing water scarcity, climate change, as well as for the development of green economy sectors, investment and tourism potential of the region.
The program will consider current and future strategies of major water users, as well as interdisciplinary interconnections of ecology, economy, history and culture of the region for joint actions to mitigate the consequences of increasing water scarcity, climate change, as well as for the development of green economy sectors, investment and tourism potential of the region.
EXPECTED RESULTS OF THE FORUM
- 1Creation of a network of partners from the public, local
and national executive bodies, scientists, cultural figures, representatives of international organisations and embassies in Kazakhstan to jointly care for Lake; - 2Decision of the Forum with a joint action plan
for caring for the Lake and ecosystems; - 3Online publication of speeches and a collection
of reports at the Forum; - 4Creation and launch of a permanent online
platform Careforbalkhash.org - with collected
information on data, research and news about the
Balkhash-Alakol basin in ecological, economic,
social and cultural contexts; - 5Promoting legislative, economic and social mechanisms
for the preservation of Lake Balkhash.
Balkhash-Alakol transboundary basin
occupies a vast territory of 413 thousand
km2. The main water artery of the lake
is the Ile River, which originates in
China. The lake is characterized by high
biodiversity of flora and fauna and has an
impact on the livelihoods of more than 10
million people.
McKinsey’s expert group predicts Lake
Balkhash will lose up to 86% of its water
by 2046, if the lake’s problems continue
to be ignored and the issues of
preservation will not be raised and
solved at local, republican, regional,
and international levels.
occupies a vast territory of 413 thousand
km2. The main water artery of the lake
is the Ile River, which originates in
China. The lake is characterized by high
biodiversity of flora and fauna and has an
impact on the livelihoods of more than 10
million people.
McKinsey’s expert group predicts Lake
Balkhash will lose up to 86% of its water
by 2046, if the lake’s problems continue
to be ignored and the issues of
preservation will not be raised and
solved at local, republican, regional,
and international levels.
LAKE
BALKHASH
BALKHASH
The 14th largest lake in the world, located
in Central Kazakhstan, is currently an area
of social, economic, environmental, and
water crisis, where the scenario of water
use is reminiscent of the catastrophe of the
disappearance of the Aral Sea as a result
of anthropogenic impact.
in Central Kazakhstan, is currently an area
of social, economic, environmental, and
water crisis, where the scenario of water
use is reminiscent of the catastrophe of the
disappearance of the Aral Sea as a result
of anthropogenic impact.
1
Threat of basin degradation and recurrence of the Aral sea catastrophe
2
Irrational
use of water
use of water
3
Inefficient management of the Balkhash-Alakol Basin
4
Transboundary issues on the Ile River
6
Land degradation
and desertification
and desertification
PROBLEMATICS
5
Melting of the glaciers
and reduction of available water
and reduction of available water
7
Disengagement of people
and businesses from
problem solving
and businesses from
problem solving
8
Growing risks of biodiversity loss
9
Climate change and
environmental conflicts
environmental conflicts
Forum Program
May 30, Balkhash, Kazakhstan
09:45 - 09:55
Excursion to the exhibition “Intertwining Climate, Water(s) and Communities”, gathering at the main entrance of Kh. Magauin Cultural Center, 32, Abay str.
10:00 - 11:20
Plenary session: «Strategic importance of water and Lake Balkhash for the future of Kazakhstan and Central Asia»
Moderator: Aigerim Kapar, initiator of Care for Balkhash and founder of Artcom Platform
Ermaganbet Bolekpaev, Akim of Karaganda region
Nariman Kipshakbayev, Chairman of the Board of Public Foundation “Water Partnership of Kazakhstan”, founder of water policy of Kazakhstan
Bolat Bekniyaz, First Vice Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation of the Republic of Kazakhstan
Mansur Oshurbaev, Vice-Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources of the Republic of Kazakhstan
Arman Kalykov, Member of the Committee on Ecology and Nature Management of the Majilis of the Parliament of the Republic of Kazakhstan, VIII convocation
Aleksey Kokorin, Nobel Laureate for Climate Change Report, "Nature and People" Foundation
Georgy Safonov, Deputy Director of the European Forest Institute (EFI), Finland
Alexander Zverev, founder of the “Return Water to Rivers” initiative
Adilkhan Yerkenov, Executive director of Agromelioration Department, Department of Agriculture, Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Kazakhstan
Nick Novak, Embassy and Consulate of the United States in Kazakhstan
Neil Pitra, Embassy of France in Kazakhstan, Attaché for Scientific and Technical Cooperation
Meruert Sarsembayeva, UNDP Biodiversity Portfolio Coordinator in Kazakhstan
Ilyas Zhukenov, Representative of the World Bank in Kazakhstan
Saken Shayakhmetov, Director of Sustainable Development, “Kazakhmys Corporation” LLP, General Sponsor of the Forum
Bulat K. Yesekin, Coordinator of the Regional Expert Platform on Water Resources Management and Climate Change in Central Asia, on work in parallel sessions and expected outcomes of the Forum
Nariman Kipshakbayev, Chairman of the Board of Public Foundation “Water Partnership of Kazakhstan”, founder of water policy of Kazakhstan
Bolat Bekniyaz, First Vice Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation of the Republic of Kazakhstan
Mansur Oshurbaev, Vice-Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources of the Republic of Kazakhstan
Arman Kalykov, Member of the Committee on Ecology and Nature Management of the Majilis of the Parliament of the Republic of Kazakhstan, VIII convocation
Aleksey Kokorin, Nobel Laureate for Climate Change Report, "Nature and People" Foundation
Georgy Safonov, Deputy Director of the European Forest Institute (EFI), Finland
Alexander Zverev, founder of the “Return Water to Rivers” initiative
Adilkhan Yerkenov, Executive director of Agromelioration Department, Department of Agriculture, Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Kazakhstan
Nick Novak, Embassy and Consulate of the United States in Kazakhstan
Neil Pitra, Embassy of France in Kazakhstan, Attaché for Scientific and Technical Cooperation
Meruert Sarsembayeva, UNDP Biodiversity Portfolio Coordinator in Kazakhstan
Ilyas Zhukenov, Representative of the World Bank in Kazakhstan
Saken Shayakhmetov, Director of Sustainable Development, “Kazakhmys Corporation” LLP, General Sponsor of the Forum
Bulat K. Yesekin, Coordinator of the Regional Expert Platform on Water Resources Management and Climate Change in Central Asia, on work in parallel sessions and expected outcomes of the Forum
11:25 - 12:25
Panel Session 1: «Plan of Priority Measures for the Conservation of Lake Balkhash and the Balkhash-Alakol Basin Ecosystem»
Moderators: Bolat K. Bekniyaz, First Vice Minister of the Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Rymkul Mashurbekova, Veteran of Balkhash Nature Protection
Anar Tleulesova, member of the Balkhash-Alakol Basin Council, Deputy Chairman of the Water Partnership of Kazakhstan
Jean-François CRETAUX, CNES - Centre National D’études Spatiales, National Center for Space Research, “Lake Balkhash surface water monitoring from satellites observations”
Grigory Mazmanyants, head of the biodiversity program in the Republic of Kazakhstan
Yerkinbek Kumataev, Director of the Balkhash branch of the Scientific and Production Center for Fisheries Management
Maria Ibraeva, Senior Researcher at the U. Uspanov Institute of Soil Science and Agrochemistry
Telman Shuriev, Director for External Stakeholder Relations, Kazakhmys Corporation LLP, “Building a Water Resources Management Strategy at Industrial Enterprises”
Jean-François CRETAUX, CNES - Centre National D’études Spatiales, National Center for Space Research, “Lake Balkhash surface water monitoring from satellites observations”
Grigory Mazmanyants, head of the biodiversity program in the Republic of Kazakhstan
Yerkinbek Kumataev, Director of the Balkhash branch of the Scientific and Production Center for Fisheries Management
Maria Ibraeva, Senior Researcher at the U. Uspanov Institute of Soil Science and Agrochemistry
Telman Shuriev, Director for External Stakeholder Relations, Kazakhmys Corporation LLP, “Building a Water Resources Management Strategy at Industrial Enterprises”
14:00 - 15:20
Panel Session 2: «Legal, Institutional and Economic Mechanisms for Implementing the Conservation Plan for Lake Balkhash and the Balkhash-Alakol Basin Ecosystem»
Moderator: Sergey Vinogradov, International Lawyer, UNECE, UNESCO, Bulat K. Esekin, Coordinator of the Central Asian Platform for Water Resources Management and Climate Change
Sergey Vinogradov (online), International Expert, Lawyer at the UNESCO Center, Project of the Agreement between the Republic of Kazakhstan and China
Katia Schmitzberger (online), Coordinator of the Basin River Agency (France), “Experience of Basin Management in France: Transition from Resource Approach to Ecosystem Approach”
Arman Utepov, Head of the EcoMind Center for Ecosystem Solutions, Project of the Law on Lake Balkhash
Abay Erkebalan, On the creation of the International Basin Social Corporation “Balkhash Lake”
Aidar Kozybaev, National Academy of Corporate Governance, Managing Director, “Opportunities for Attracting Green Investments”
Galina Artyukhina (online), WBCSD (World Business Council for Sustainable Development), “Investments in Nature Restoration”
Nurlan Eskendirov, “On the creation of the Fund and the Board of Trustees for the preservation of Lake Balkhash and the ecosystem of the Balkhash-Alakol Basin”
Kabdolla Birzhanov, “Creation of an integrated digital platform for water resources management and conservation of aquatic ecosystems”
Katia Schmitzberger (online), Coordinator of the Basin River Agency (France), “Experience of Basin Management in France: Transition from Resource Approach to Ecosystem Approach”
Arman Utepov, Head of the EcoMind Center for Ecosystem Solutions, Project of the Law on Lake Balkhash
Abay Erkebalan, On the creation of the International Basin Social Corporation “Balkhash Lake”
Aidar Kozybaev, National Academy of Corporate Governance, Managing Director, “Opportunities for Attracting Green Investments”
Galina Artyukhina (online), WBCSD (World Business Council for Sustainable Development), “Investments in Nature Restoration”
Nurlan Eskendirov, “On the creation of the Fund and the Board of Trustees for the preservation of Lake Balkhash and the ecosystem of the Balkhash-Alakol Basin”
Kabdolla Birzhanov, “Creation of an integrated digital platform for water resources management and conservation of aquatic ecosystems”
15:25 - 15:35
Art performance by Anuar Duisenbinov
Anuar Duisenbinov, "Balkhash Dreaming" group
15:35 - 16:10
Strategic session: Discussion: Results of the sessions
moderated by Bulat Yesekin, Coordinator of the Central Asian platform Central Asian Platform on Water Resources Management and Climate Change
Presentations:
- Joint Actions Plan for the Conservation of Lake Balkhash and the Balkhash-Alakol Basin Ecosystem
- Concepts of the draft Law on Balkhash Lake Preservation and Transboundary Agreement
- Concepts of the Board of Trustees and the Balkhash Lake Preservation Fund
16:10 - 16:20
Summarizing the results of the Forum and next steps
Bolat Bekniyaz, First Vice-Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation of the Republic of Kazakhstan
Forum Program
May 31, Balkhash, Kazakhstan
10:00 - 10:10
Sound performance by Asel Shaldybaeva, cultural space Bult
Asel Shaldybaeva
10:10 - 12:10
Discussion ‘Art and Science in Global Climate Change’
Moderator: Prof. Kulshat Medeuova, L.N. Gumilev Eurasian University
Lake Balkhash as a natural and cultural watershed
Daulet Kozhakov, archeologist, local historian
Map of Nomadic Rethinking
Almagul Menlibayeva, artist (Kazakhstan)
Collective land and forest restoration Perhutana Family Forest
Elgea Balzarie, Jatiwangi Art factory (Indonesia)
The Great Cotton Road and collective memory
Dilyara Kaipova, artist (Uzbekistan)
Environmental Justice and art of community engagement
Aigerim Tleubay, researcher, Artcom Platform, Balqashqa Qamqor (Kazakhstan)
Environmental Culture and Gender Justice in Kazakhstan
Aizhan Salimzhanova, Head of the Centre for Social and Gender Studies, Kazakh National Women's Pedagogical University (Kazakhstan)
Our Rivers Share a Mouth - Solidarity practices across waters
Jiayue He, Independent curator, graduated from Royal College of Art Contemporary Curating (China/UK)
12:10 - 12:40
Discussion
CONSULTANTS
- Prof. Nariman Kipshakbayevfounder of water policy in Kazakhstan, Chairman of the Water Partnership of Kazakhstan
- Rymkul Mashurbekovaecologist, expert on Balkhash-Alakol basin
- Bulat Yessekininternational expert in the field of climate change, water resources and sustainable development
- Anar Tleulesovaprofessor, hydrogeological engineer
- Kulshat Medeuovaphilosopher, professor at ENU named after L.N. Gumilyov
- Almagul Menlibayevacontemporary artist, curator
- Daulet Kozhakovhistorian, director of the Balkhash Local History Museum
TEAM
- Aigerim Kaparinitiator, co-curator of the Forum
- Aigerim Tleubayinitiator, co-curator of the Forum
- Antonina van Lierproject manager
- Karlygash Akhmetbekvisual director, designer
- Aigerim Ospanart manager
- Aruzhan Kaltaymedia manager
