JAKARTA - Special Envoy of the Secretary-General of the United Nations for Water Retno Marsudi met with Kazakhstan President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev in Astana, to discuss global water issues.
According to the Indonesian Ambassador to Kazakhstan Fadjroel Rachman, Retno's visit on April 15 was enthusiastically welcomed by President Tokayev, who was scheduled to pay a state visit to Jakarta to meet President Prabowo Subianto this year.
"Indonesia has become the best standard for Kazakhstan in expanding, complying with, and implementing international commitments and cooperation in water management and rescue for humanity now and in the future," said Ambassador Fadjroel in a written statement, Saturday.
He referred to the success of the 10th World Water Forum in Bali in May 2024 which was attended by 160 countries and 2,000 delegates, including Kazakhstan's Special Ambassador for Water Zulfiya Sulaimenova and Tajikistan's Prime Minister Kokhir Rasulzolda.
"The World Water Forum brought Ibu Retno Marsudi to be the Special Envoy of the UN Secretary-General for Water," said Fadjroel.
Citing the official website of the Kazakhstani Presidency, President Tokayev stressed that water resources are a strategic asset for Kazakhstan, which is closely linked to sustainable growth, long-term regional stability and security.
He underlined the need for a stronger international framework for cooperation in water governance.
In this regard, Tokayev recalled his initiative to establish an international water organization under the auspices of the UN.
According to him, this step will provide a new momentum for global efforts to ensure rational use of water resources, strengthen international coordination and promote sustainable solutions to water-related challenges.
President Tokayev and Retno Marsudi also emphasized the importance of the UN Water Conference in Abu Dhabi in December 2026, which is expected to be a key platform for developing a coordinated approach to water-related issues.
Special attention was also given to the rational use of water resources in Central Asia, the Kazakhstani Presidential Office said.
In addition to meeting President Tokayev, Retno also held a dialogue with Kazakhstan's Minister of Foreign Affairs Yermek Kosherbayev and Kazakhstan's Special Ambassador Air Zulfiya Sulaimenova.
"This visit has strengthened the bilateral relations between Kazakhstan and Indonesia, especially for water issues and global climate change management," said Ambassador Fadjroel.
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