Kazakhstan, Israel Ink Deal to Strengthen Water Resource Management Cooperation – The Astana Times

Report on Kazakhstan-Israel Water Management Cooperation and Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

Executive Summary

On November 11, the Republic of Kazakhstan and the State of Israel formalized a partnership through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at enhancing cooperation in water resource management. This agreement, signed by Kazakh Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation Nurzhan Nurzhigitov and Israeli Minister of Regional Cooperation David Amsalem, directly supports the achievement of several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation) and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).

Alignment with SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation

The MoU establishes a framework for bilateral cooperation that strongly aligns with the targets of SDG 6. The core components focus on ensuring the availability and sustainable management of water.

• Modernization of Water Infrastructure: Addresses the need for robust systems to deliver clean water.
• Efficient Use of Resources: Directly contributes to SDG Target 6.4, which aims to substantially increase water-use efficiency across all sectors.
• Implementation of Water-Saving Technologies: Promotes innovative solutions to reduce water consumption, crucial for water-scarce regions.
• Water Reuse Initiatives: Supports the circular economy principles within water management, enhancing sustainability.

Fostering SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

This bilateral agreement exemplifies the spirit of SDG 17 by fostering international cooperation to address critical sustainability challenges. The partnership facilitates progress through shared expertise and technology.

1. Knowledge Sharing and Technological Innovation: The MoU encourages collaboration on data collection, management, and remote sensing, aligning with SDG Target 17.6 on enhancing access to science, technology, and innovation.
2. Scientific and Technical Cooperation: Joint efforts in research and development will advance water management practices.
3. Capacity Building: The agreement includes provisions for training highly qualified specialists, contributing to SDG Target 6.a by expanding international cooperation and capacity-building support.

Broader SDG Contributions

The cooperation extends to other interconnected SDGs, demonstrating an integrated approach to sustainable development.

• SDG 2 (Zero Hunger): Discussions on introducing water-saving technologies in agriculture will promote sustainable food production systems (Target 2.4).
• SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure): The focus on modernizing infrastructure and implementing new technologies supports the development of sustainable and resilient infrastructure (Target 9.1).
• SDG 11 & SDG 13 (Sustainable Cities & Climate Action): Joint efforts in risk management for floods and droughts will strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and water-related disasters (Target 11.5 and 13.1).

Conclusion and Forward Outlook

The MoU between Kazakhstan and Israel represents a significant step towards achieving sustainable water security. By leveraging Israeli expertise and technology, Kazakhstan aims to address its water management challenges effectively. The planned projects, including specialist training programs and the adoption of advanced agricultural technologies, are set to create a lasting impact, reinforcing the nations’ commitment to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

The article on the cooperation between Kazakhstan and Israel in water resource management directly addresses or connects to the following Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):

• SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation – This is the primary goal addressed, as the entire article focuses on a memorandum to enhance “water resource management,” “modernization of water infrastructure,” “efficient use of resources,” “water-saving technologies,” and “water reuse initiatives.”
• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals – The article is centered on a bilateral “memorandum of understanding” between Kazakhstan and Israel. This represents a partnership to achieve common goals through “knowledge sharing,” “collaboration in technological innovation,” and “scientific and technical cooperation.”
• SDG 2: Zero Hunger – The agreement includes discussions on the “introduction of water-saving technologies in agriculture.” Efficient water management is critical for sustainable agriculture and food security, which is a core component of this goal.
• SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure – The plan for the “modernization of water infrastructure” and the focus on “technological innovation” in data collection and management directly align with the objectives of building resilient infrastructure and fostering innovation.
• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities – The agreement’s focus on “risk management for floods and droughts” is crucial for protecting populations and infrastructure, contributing to making human settlements safer and more resilient to water-related disasters.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

Based on the activities and areas of cooperation mentioned in the article, the following specific SDG targets can be identified:

1. Target 6.4: By 2030, substantially increase water-use efficiency across all sectors and ensure sustainable withdrawals and supply of freshwater to address water scarcity.
   • Explanation: The memorandum’s focus on “efficient use of resources,” “implementation of water-saving technologies,” and “water reuse initiatives” directly contributes to increasing water-use efficiency.
2. Target 6.5: By 2030, implement integrated water resources management at all levels, including through transboundary cooperation as appropriate.
   • Explanation: The bilateral agreement between Kazakhstan and Israel is a form of international cooperation aimed at strengthening “water resource management,” which is a key aspect of this target.
3. Target 6.a: By 2030, expand international cooperation and capacity-building support to developing countries in water- and sanitation-related activities and programmes.
   • Explanation: The agreement includes “training of highly qualified specialists” and “programs to train Kazakh specialists at Israeli enterprises,” which are direct examples of international cooperation for capacity-building.
4. Target 17.6: Enhance North-South, South-South and triangular regional and international cooperation on and access to science, technology and innovation.
   • Explanation: The article highlights “knowledge sharing and collaboration in technological innovation, particularly in data collection, management, and processing through remote sensing,” which is a clear example of cooperation on technology and innovation.
5. Target 2.4: By 2030, ensure sustainable food production systems and implement resilient agricultural practices that increase productivity and production, that help maintain ecosystems, that strengthen capacity for adaptation to climate change, extreme weather, drought, flooding and other disasters.
   • Explanation: The plan to introduce “water-saving technologies in agriculture” and conduct “joint efforts in risk management for floods and droughts” directly supports the development of resilient agricultural practices.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

The article, being an announcement of an agreement, does not provide quantitative data but implies several indicators that can be used to measure progress:

• Implied Indicator for Target 6.4: The degree of implementation of “water-saving technologies” and “water reuse initiatives.” Progress could be measured by the number of agricultural or industrial sites adopting these technologies. This relates to official indicator 6.4.1 (Change in water-use efficiency over time).
• Implied Indicator for Target 6.5: The signing of the “memorandum of understanding” itself is a qualitative indicator of cooperation. This aligns with the spirit of indicator 6.5.2 (Proportion of transboundary basin area with an operational arrangement for water cooperation), as it demonstrates a formal arrangement for water management cooperation.
• Implied Indicator for Target 6.a & 17.9: The number of “highly qualified specialists” trained and the establishment of “programs to train Kazakh specialists.” This serves as a direct measure of capacity-building efforts.
• Implied Indicator for Target 17.6: The existence of the bilateral agreement itself serves as an indicator of international cooperation on technology. This aligns with official indicator 17.6.1 (Number of science and/or technology cooperation agreements and programmes between countries).

4. Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: astanatimes.com