The Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation of Kazakhstan, Nurzhan Nurzhigitov, held a meeting with the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of France to Kazakhstan, Didier Canesse, the press service of the Ministry reports.
Minister Nurzhigitov provided an overview of the Ministry's ongoing initiatives and suggested collaborative efforts in the training of water sector specialists, encompassing new higher education programs and advanced training for existing staff.
In response, the French delegation expressed their readiness to collaborate with Kazakhstan through the joint scholarship program "Abai-Verne." This program will enable master's and doctoral students to pursue studies in France for free.
The Ambassador highlighted that the recent meeting between the presidents of Kazakhstan and France marked the beginning of a new phase in bilateral relations, particularly in the water sector. The announcement at the World Climate Summit in Dubai revealed that the two nations would co-chair the inaugural "One Water" thematic summit during the upcoming session of the UN General Assembly.
France initiated a two-year water cooperation program this year, managed by the Bureau of Geological and Mining Research (BRGM), with support from the French Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs. The program involves knowledge exchange on topics like climate change, digitalization in the water industry, and modeling in water resources management. Several seminars were conducted, allowing specialists to undergo internships in France. Plans for the upcoming year include the development of a concept note, encompassing insights gained by domestic specialists during program implementation.
Representatives from the French Development Agency (AFD) present at the meeting announced that in early 2024, French experts are scheduled to visit Kazakhstan to discuss potential joint projects.
Minister Nurzhigitov emphasized, "We are prepared for the progressive development of bilateral relations with our French colleagues. There are numerous areas in which we can successfully cooperate. Drawing upon our experience with international financial institutions and various organizations, we are ready to apply it within the framework of our joint projects."