Astana, Kazakhstan - 22 October 2025 - The Islamic Organisation for Food Security (IOFS) and Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) in cooperation with the Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation of the Republic of Kazakhstan inaugurated the Regional Training on Governance and Digital Solutions for Sustainable Irrigation and Water Management today in Astana.
The three-day capacity-building programme aims to strengthen regional cooperation, enhance effective water governance and promote digitalization of irrigation systems, bringing together participants from Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, and Türkiye, alongside representatives from ICARDA; International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas, International Water Management Institute (IWMI), and consultancy groups working in the water sector.
During the welcoming remarks, H.E. Mr. Talgat Momyshev, Deputy Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation of Kazakhstan, emphasized the importance of regional collaboration to address shared water challenges across Central Asia. H.E. Dr. Ali Bektayev, Chairman of the Committee on Agrarian Issues of the Senate of the Republic of Kazakhstan, noted the essence of integrated water management policies and exchange of best practices among countries in the region.
Ambassador Khusrav Noziri, Assistant Director-General of IOFS, underscored the vital role of digital transformation in achieving water security and food resilience, as well as ensured the IOFS readiness to support the initiatives of Member States and provide experience exchange platforms. Dr. Biola Kazeem Badmos, Legal Global Rural Development Specialist, also highlighted that digitalization is key for sustainable use of water resources in Central Asia and overall in OIC member countries.
Technical sessions featured experts from Türkiye’s State Hydraulic Works (DSİ), ICARDA, IWMI, senior consultants working in the region, Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Water Resources, and Kazakhstan’s Information and Analytical Center of Water Resources, presenting successful practices such as the SUTEM digital irrigation systems.
The event serves as a regional platform to exchange knowledge, enhance institutional capacities, and promote data-driven and climate-smart solutions for water efficiency and food security.
Water Governance and Digitalization in focus of IOFS-IsDB co-organized Regional Training in Astana

22 October 2025