Kazakhstan and Switzerland Discussed Cooperation Prospects in the Field of Official Development Assistance

Nur-Sultan, March 10, 2021 – The Ambassador-at-Large of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan Rapil Zhoshybayev held an online meeting with the Swiss Special Envoy for Water in Central Asia of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs Guy Bonvin.

During the conversation, the participants of the meeting discussed the prospects of Kazakh-Swiss cooperation in the field of Official Development Assistance (ODA).

In particular, the Swiss side was informed about the activities of the newly established Kazakhstan International Development Agency KazAID, its goals, objectives and priorities, as well as pilot projects in the field of ODA implemented by Kazakhstan.

The parties also considered the implementation of future joint projects in the field of rational use of water resources and establishment of a regional system of management of shared water sources. In this context, the Swiss side expressed its readiness to provide expert support to Kazakhstan on this issue and, in general, to share experience in the sphere of ODA.

As a result of the meeting, the parties agreed on the need to sign the Memorandum of Understanding between the Development Agencies KazAID and DEZA on cooperation in the field of ODA, which will strengthen the Kazakh-Swiss partnership in this area in the near future.