Kazakhstan Ambassador Yerzhan Yelekeyev briefed Kuwait’s Minister of Electricity, Water and Renewable Energy Subaih Al-Mukhaizeem on June 15 about President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s proposal for a UN-based International Water Organization, prompting Kuwait to review the initiative as it prioritizes water security amid global challenges. The meeting also covered potential expansion of cooperation in electricity, renewable energy and water management, with the minister expressing support for international efforts to tackle water issues.
The proposal was first advanced by President Tokayev in December 2025 at a forum in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan. According to reports from Kazakh state sources, Tokayev suggested transforming the existing UN-Water coordinating mechanism, which includes 36 UN entities and dozens of partner organizations, into a fully fledged specialized agency. This step would consolidate mandates on water and sanitation while supporting UN Sustainable Development Goals. Kazakh officials have since pursued consultations, including at a Regional Environmental Summit hosted in Astana in April 2026.
United Nations data indicates that approximately 2.2 billion people lack safely managed drinking water services. The UN World Water Development Report 2026 places the figure for those without safely managed sanitation at 3.5 billion, while nearly 4 billion people face severe water scarcity for at least one month each year. Agriculture accounts for 72 percent of global freshwater withdrawals, according to FAO and UN-Water assessments. These trends have heightened the need for improved global coordination cited in the Kazakh proposal.
Minister Subaih Al-Mukhaizeem stressed that water security remains a top priority for Kuwait. Arab Times reported that he highlighted the importance of long-term sustainability for water and energy infrastructure amid prevailing regional and global conditions. The minister stated that Kuwait would carefully study the proposal and expressed backing for international initiatives addressing water-related challenges.
The June 15 discussions reviewed prospects for stronger bilateral ties in electricity generation, water resource management and renewable energy technologies. Both sides, per the Arab Times account, reaffirmed their commitment to collaboration on sustainable development. The talks occurred against a backdrop of shared recognition that energy and water security carry increasing strategic weight worldwide.
Kazakhstan has described the envisioned organization as a platform to coordinate national and institutional efforts, exchange data and technology, and develop joint solutions. Statements from the April 2026 Astana summit noted that the initiative seeks to raise the political profile of water issues within the UN system. Kuwait’s engagement forms one element of broader diplomatic outreach on the proposal that has drawn attention from multiple countries and organizations.
