Monitoring and researching water resources is a strategic priority for Kazakhstan, as its limited and predominantly transboundary freshwater supplies are under increasing pressure from agriculture and climate change. Agriculture consumes more than two-thirds of the water, but inefficient irrigation and worn-out infrastructure pose serious risks to food security, rural livelihoods, and economic stability. Rising temperatures, changing precipitation patterns, more frequent droughts, and shrinking glaciers are additional challenges that alter river flows and exacerbate seasonal water shortages.

These factors require reliable research and monitoring to ensure integrated water resources management, the introduction of modern irrigation technologies, and adaptive planning at the national and basin levels. However, government agencies and research institutes are often limited in their capabilities due to outdated equipment, poor field mobility, and a lack of modern observation tools. 

The project on developing climate-resilient water resources, financed by the Islamic Development Bank, aims to address these challenges. As part of the initiative, the Kazakh Scientific Research Institute of Water Management and Kazhydrogeology will be equipped with modern instruments, monitoring systems, and specialized transport. This will enable high-quality research and rapid analysis, strengthen institutional capacity, and increase Kazakhstan's resilience to climate risks, ensuring a balance between the needs of agriculture, the environment, and national development priorities.