Kazakhstan and France are deepening their partnership to protect one of Central Asia’s most important natural treasures - Lake Balkhash.

Officials, scientists, and international experts gathered in Astana to review progress on a comprehensive master plan designed to safeguard the lake’s fragile ecosystem and ensure sustainable water management for decades to come, The Caspian Post reports via Kazinform.

The ambitious project is being developed jointly by Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation, the French Development Agency (AFD), and the French Geological Survey (BRGM). The latest working group meeting brought together representatives from key government agencies, research institutions, environmental organizations, and French experts involved in the initiative.

During the discussions, French specialists presented preliminary results from extensive studies covering hydrology, agriculture, glacier runoff, groundwater resources, water consumption patterns, and advanced modeling of water allocation across the Balkhash basin.

A major focus of the project is addressing the growing challenges posed by climate change. Experts examined future river flow forecasts, the impact of shrinking glaciers on water supplies, and the interaction between surface and underground water sources. Modern digital technologies and modeling tools were also showcased as potential solutions for improving basin-wide water management and planning.

Participants combined research findings from multiple scientific fields into a unified assessment of the Lake Balkhash watershed and identified critical areas requiring further investigation.

Kairatgali Khairulla, Chairman of the Board of the Information and Analytical Center of Water Resources, said that the next phase will include the development of water management scenarios through 2040, the selection of climate models, and additional targeted research. Joint work between Kazakh and French experts will continue through the end of 2026.

The completed master plan, expected by late 2026, will provide a scientific foundation for long-term environmental policies aimed at preserving Lake Balkhash, protecting regional water security, and supporting sustainable economic development throughout the basin.

The initiative is based on a recently signed cooperation agreement between Kazakhstan and France focused on the preservation of Lake Balkhash.