The European Union is ready to further support the Executive Committee of IFAS

     Astana, 1 April 2025 – Chairman of the Executive Committee of the IFAS Askhat Orazbay met with the newly appointed European Union Special Representative for Central Asia Eduards Stiprais, who arrived in Kazakhstan on a working visit.
    During the meeting, the Chairman of the EC IFAS briefed the EU Special Representative on the activities of the EC IFAS within the framework of Kazakhstan’s chairmanship of the Fund. He highlighted key areas of interest for cooperation between the EC IFAS and EU institutions and called for closer engagement and joint implementation of the Fourth Aral Sea Basin Program (ASBP-4).
     A. Orazbay emphasized that since Kazakhstan assumed the IFAS chairmanship, the Executive Committee has elevated relations with the Fund’s traditional European partners to a qualitatively new level, 
established and strengthened cooperation with several key EU countries, including Germany, France, the Netherlands, Italy and others.
     In turn, E.Stiprais highlighted the growing significance of water issues and the Aral Sea crisis not only within Central Asia but also far beyond the region. He particularly stressed the importance of IFAS and the experience of Central Asian states in addressing water scarcity, especially in light of accelerating climate change.
He expressed the EU's strong interest in supporting Central Asian countries in overcoming water-related challenges. 
     The EU Special Representative reaffirmed the European Union’s readiness and commitment to providing further support to the Central Asian states and the EC IFAS, including financial, technical, and advisory assistance.