Geopolitical Monitor: "Kazakhstan Aims to Protect the Blue while Going Green"

 

"Kazakhstan Aims to Protect the Blue while Going Green"

Wilder Alejandro Sanchez

Situation Report

Geopolitical Monitor

14 September 2023

Originally published: https://www.geopoliticalmonitor.com/kazakhstan-aims-to-protect-the-blue-while-going-green/

Kazakhstani President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev gave a speech on 1 September focusing on economic issues and domestic development. Some key energy and environmental issues were discussed that are particularly noteworthy, given the globe’s climate and environmental challenges: Astana will focus more heavily on protecting the country’s water resources, which has an unavoidable foreign policy component. Moreover, the Kazakhstani government aims to turn to green energy and is similarly considering nuclear power.

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International Policy Digest: "Can the Caspian Sea and Ural River be Saved?"

 

"Can the Caspian Sea and Ural River be Saved?"

Wilder Alejandro Sanchez

International Policy Digest

27 January, 2023

Originally published: https://intpolicydigest.org/can-the-caspian-sea-and-ural-river-be-saved/

The Caspian Sea is Kazakhstan’s connection to the Caucasus and Europe. Thus, its protection is paramount to the country’s economic health, not to mention its fishing industry and overall environment. As Kazakhstan seeks to go “green” and become carbon neutral by 2060, its environmental policies must also evolve. This evolution needs to include bilateral cooperation, as working together with Russia over the Ural River is necessary to keep the Caspian Sea safe.

A landlocked nation, Kazakhstan has three key water bodies: the Aral Sea, Lake Balkhash, and the Caspian Sea (which is fed by the Ural River). Two of these bodies are already at risk; the country of 19 million cannot afford to also lose the Caspian.

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