Strengthening Performance Audit in Water Resource Management Discussed by the Auditors of ECOSAI Member States

On April 25, 2025, the Supreme Audit Chamber of the Republic of Kazakhstan hosted an online seminar on “Performance Audit of Water Resources.” The activity was organized as part of the implementation of decisions made during the 28th Governing Board Meeting and the 23rd ECOSAI Training Committee Meeting, as well as following the outcomes of working-level negotiations.

Opening the seminar, the member of the Supreme Audit Chamber Nurlan Nurzhanov emphasized the critical role that water resources play in ensuring economic and geopolitical stability.

“Auditing of water resources is essential for promoting society well-being and prosperity. Therefore, the mutual exchange of experiences and practices in conducting performance audits in the water resources is of great significance to all parties,” he noted.

The seminar was attended by representatives from the Supreme Audit Institutions of ECOSAI member states — Azerbaijan, Iran, Uzbekistan, Pakistan, Tajikistan, and Türkiye — along with observers from Palestine and Qatar.

Participants exchanged experiences and discussed key challenges encountered during water resource audits. Representatives from Azerbaijan, Pakistan, Türkiye and Tajikistan presented practical case studies:

• The representatives from Azerbaijan highlighted the challenges of water accounting, where losses in irrigation canals and the absence of measuring equipment often necessitate estimating water volumes based on the size of irrigated fields. To enhance accuracy, Azerbaijani auditors have started utilizing cartographic imagery.
• The representatives from Tajikistan emphasized the importance of water resource auditing for sustainable development and environmental protection, especially in the context of a growing shortage of freshwater.
• The representatives from Türkiye shared the outcomes of audits conducted over the past five years, which revealed numerous violations, ranging from unauthorized drilling of wells to the uncontrolled exploitation of groundwater.
• The representatives from Pakistan noted that their assessment of water management efficiency takes into account not only economic indicators but also environmental sustainability and the principles of equity.

In conclusion, the representative of Kazakhstan proposed the implementation of an integrated approach to water resource management, grounded in international cooperation and strengthened oversight mechanisms. This would contribute to preserving water ecosystems and ensuring public access to clean water — a strategic priority for all countries.