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In 2024, Kazakhstan experienced its worst floods in 80 years—catastrophic events that displaced over 177,000 people, inundated 6,000 homes, and caused extensive infrastructure damage and economic losses. Amid this crisis, UNDP’s core funds played a pivotal role in catalyzing a transformative response, laying the groundwork for long-term resilience in Kazakhstan’s water management sector.
Already engaged in addressing Kazakhstan’s water challenges, UNDP quickly adapted its approach to support the country’s response to the floods. While Kazakhstan, as an upper-middle-income economy, had the resources to manage the aftermath, it required international expertise to build a robust, integrated strategy. UNDP’s network of global expertise allowed for bringing in an international technical advisor specializing in water management and flood response—who soon became an independent advisor to the Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation.
Together with local UNDP experts and ministry officials, the advisor conducted a post-flood analysis in 2024, producing flood reconstruction plans, flood risk and hazard maps, action plans, and damage assessments of water infrastructure in pilot areas. These efforts informed a comprehensive flood mitigation strategy that also addressed drought management and water-use efficiency.
A key component of this initiative was developing the structure for an operational flood early warning system based on Delft-FEWS and the TALSIM river basin model. Two pilot areas were selected for testing different models, incorporating capacity-building activities to enhance national expertise in advanced modeling, data analysis, calibration, and result interpretation.
One pilot area utilized HBV Light, while the other applied TALSIM as a full-fledged river basin model. These pilot projects established a structured workflow and data pipeline, built a trained modeling team, and laid the groundwork for scaling up to other river basins. This approach equipped Kazakhstan with robust basin models and improved flood prediction accuracy, significantly enhancing disaster preparedness and water resource management.
TALSIM: A dynamic river basin model that integrates hydrology and water management parameters, including reservoir operations, to support informed decision-making and water resource management.
Beyond technical capacity building, UNDP’s strategic use of core resources facilitated critical partner engagement. Acting as a catalyst for collaboration, UNDP supported the Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation in establishing and organizing the first meeting of the Coordination Council of Partners for the Development of the Water Sector. This platform brought together representatives from international organizations, financial institutions, development agencies, diplomatic missions, and the private sector, enabling a coordinated response to the country’s most pressing water challenges.
The Council’s work is guided by the Water Partnership Initiative for 2024–2030, a joint framework by the Ministry and UNDP outlining key priorities, including water resource digitalization, climate-resilient infrastructure modernization, adoption of modern irrigation systems, and enhanced transboundary water cooperation. The initiative provides a strategic roadmap for engaging development partners, financial institutions, and donors in Kazakhstan’s water sector.
Mobilizing Further Investment for Sustainable Change
The impact of these core-funded initiatives extended beyond immediate crisis response. By expediting the Ministry’s efforts and fostering collaboration, UNDP helped secure additional funding from international partners. Under a cooperation agreement signed on 28 June 2024, between the Ministry, UNDP, and the Eurasian Development Bank, US$5.3 million was allocated to advance key activities of the Water Partnership Initiative. Additionally, the Government of Japan is providing $2 million to support the digitalization of dam flood and safety management, as well as the enhancement of dam safety standards, with implementation led by UNDP. These investments are laying a durable foundation for sustainable water management in the country.
UNDP’s timely deployment of core funds in Kazakhstan not only addressed an immediate crisis but also catalyzed systemic transformation in water management. By combining rapid technical assistance, capacity building, and strategic partnerships, UNDP has helped the country chart a path toward long-term resilience and sustainable development. This core investment has set a precedent for high-impact, high-value interventions designed to last ensuring that Kazakhstan is better prepared for future water-related challenges while safeguarding its communities. Through this work, UNDP reaffirms its commitment to driving transformative change and demonstrates how strategic core funding can deliver systemic solutions even in the most complex crises.
