The first meeting of the Kazakhstan-Russian Commission on the conservation of the ecosystem of the transboundary river Ural basin was held in Moscow

On November 15-16, 2018, the first meeting of the Kazakhstan-Russian Commission on the preservation of the ecosystem of the basin of the transboundary river Ural was held in Moscow (Russian Federation) under the co-chairmanship of the Vice Minister of Energy of the Republic of Kazakhstan Nurlybai Sabit and Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and Environment of the Russian Federation Kerimov Murad Kerimovitch.

The meeting was held in a friendly, open and trusting atmosphere.

This meeting was held in the framework of the implementation of the “Agreement between the Russian Federation and the Republic of Kazakhstan on the conservation of the ecosystem of the Ural River Basin”, adopted on October 5, 2016 in Astana during the Forum of Interregional and Border Cooperation.

The meeting was also attended by representatives of interested ministries and departments, deputies, scientists and members of the public of both countries.

The parties discussed the current state, as well as prospects for the development of the ecosystem of the Ural River basin (Zhaiyk), and also agreed that the problem under discussion is relevant not only for Kazakhstan and Russia, but also for the entire Eurasian subregion.

Following the meeting, a Protocol was signed, as well as the Provisions on the Joint Commission and the Action Plan "On improving the basin ecosystem and preventing transboundary pollution of the Ural River" were adopted.

The adopted Action Plan consists of 11 points and is aimed at improving the ecological status of the Ural River (Zhaiyk), connecting the spaces of Asia and Europe and forming a unique natural-ecological complex with the richest biodiversity and historical and cultural heritage.

The parties also agreed that the next meeting of the Commission will be held in 2019 in the Republic of Kazakhstan.