Kazakhstan is stepping up its environmental diplomacy as it prepares to host a major regional summit in Astana this spring.

Kazakhstan’s Permanent Representative to the UN Office in Nairobi, Ambassador Barlybay Sadykov, held talks with United Nations Environment Programme Executive Director Inger Andersen, focusing on deepening cooperation ahead of the Regional Environmental Summit scheduled for April 22-24, 2026, The Caspian Post reports via Kazakh media.

According to the Kazakh Foreign Ministry, the meeting reviewed ongoing joint projects, future priorities in environmental cooperation, and UNEP’s planned participation in the Astana summit. The discussions highlighted Kazakhstan’s ambition to position itself as a regional hub for environmental dialogue and sustainable development initiatives.

Special attention was given to the proposal to establish an International Water Organization within the UN system-an initiative put forward by President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev in December 2025 during a forum marking the International Year of Peace and Trust.

Andersen praised Kazakhstan’s environmental leadership, thanked Astana for its continued support of UNEP’s work, and reaffirmed the agency’s readiness to provide expert assistance in advancing Kazakhstan’s ecological and sustainability projects.

The meeting concluded with both sides agreeing to expand cooperation, support the implementation of joint environmental initiatives, and organize events at various levels, underscoring Kazakhstan’s growing role in shaping the region’s green agenda.