The Kazakhstani delegation headed by Chairman of the Supreme Audit Chamber Alikhan Smailov is on a working visit in Dushanbe (Tajikistan). These days the 7th meeting of the Heads of the Supreme Audit Institutions of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization countries is taking place there.

The participants of the official event include representatives of Belarus, India, Iran, Kazakhstan, China, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and the SCO Secretariat.

The key topic of the 7th meeting is improving the efficiency of water resources use through strengthening state control. This is one of the highest priorities for all countries in the region.

In addition, the agenda includes the results of a parallel audit in agriculture, conducted under the coordination of the SAC of Kazakhstan, measures to improve the SCO external audit mechanism, and a number of other issues.

In his speech at the main thematic session, Alikhan Smailov noted that the problems of water resources, including increased consumption, growing deficit, pollution of reservoirs and the effects of climate change are common to most SCO countries.

“For Kazakhstan, the issues of sustainable use and protection of water resources are also of priority importance. Head of State Kassym-Jomart Tokayev emphasizes the importance of taking decisive and rapid measures aimed at introducing advanced water-saving technologies and reforming the republic's water management system,” said the Chairman of the SAC.

According to him, the Supreme Audit Chamber regularly conducts audits of the condition of Kazakhstan's water resources and the effectiveness of their use. Recently, such audits took place in 2018, 2022 and 2023 with the elaboration of specific instructions and recommendations.

As a result, following the results of the audits in Kazakhstan, certification of republican-owned water facilities and an inventory of water fund lands were carried out. In addition, criteria for assessing the degree of risks and checklists in the field of use and protection of water resources have been developed. A number of other measures have been taken.

“A systematic approach to the audit of water resources enables to identify problems in a timely manner, ensures transparency of spending and facilitates decision–making aimed at improving the situation in this area,” said Alikhan Smailov.

As noted by the Chairman of the SAC, the results of audits in different countries show that the problems of irrational use of water, its pollution, insufficient financing of water supply infrastructure and imperfect state control are still relevant.

In this regard, the Supreme Audit Chamber considers it necessary:

– to increase transparency and efficiency of water resources management through strengthening state control, developing clear reporting and monitoring mechanisms;

– to optimize budget spending on water management projects, eliminating duplication of programs;

– to accelerate the introduction of innovative technologies for water purification and reuse, including through public-private partnerships;

– to ensure international cooperation in the field of protection of transboundary water bodies by introducing joint water use standards;

– to strengthen the environmental and financial audit of water management organizations.

Alikhan Smailov stressed that the SAIs of the SCO countries consistently advocate for strengthening cooperation between governments, international institutions and business communities in matters of rational use of water.

“An integrated approach to water resources management based on international cooperation and an effective oversight mechanism will not only preserve aquatic ecosystems for future generations, but also ensure public access to clean water, which is a strategic priority for all SCO countries,” concluded the Chairman of the SAC.

Within the framework of the event, a report on the results of the parallel audit in the field of agriculture was also made by the Member of the SAC of Kazakhstan Tlegen Kaskin.

Following the results of the 7th meeting of the Heads of the Supreme Audit Institutions of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization countries, a Joint Statement and an Action Plan for 2025-2027 were approved. The Organization officially included the supreme audit institutions of Belarus and Iran.

Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/esep/press/news/details/976441?lang=kk