Reaching SDGs 6.1 and 6.2 in Kazakhstan: State - society relations

Science - policy - society Nexus is important in achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). The current scientific knowledge is sufficient to allow us to implement the best of knowledge to cover the basic needs such as access to safe water and sanitation; however, the implementation rate is slow. Thus, this work looks at state-society relations in reaching SDGs 6.1. and 6.2. in Kazakhstan.

The survey asssessed available 176 water-related functions in the Government of Kazakhstan using the Integrated water resources  management tool-box. Additionaly, the questionnaire of about 1300 villagers was conducted in all the villages (which are 153 in total) of Atyrau region, Kazakhstan during September-November 2022, to assess the access to drinking water and sanitation services and the needs for improvement.

The findings show that in the “Policy” area the functions for adaptation to climate change are poorly expressed, especially climate resilient WASH systems; the role of customary law in the field of both the use of water resources and access to drinking water and sanitation is barely reflected in the legislation. In the "Organization" area there is a lack of functions in operation and monitoring of decentralized water supply and sanitation services; the organization of civil society is not formally expressed; training of water management specialists is not reflected as a responsibility.  In the field of using various tools of Integrated Water Resources Management, the weakest function of the government is communication with society and their reflection in public policy, in particular, the introduction of the concept of virtual water, water footprint, public awareness and education; economic instruments and effective demand management are little reflected in the functions of the state.

More than half of rural citizens use water from decentralized sources and mainly use pit latrines. The field survey has showed the high level of responsibility of the local villagers for decentralized sanitation and drinking water supply services, with high request to be educated on how to maintain those systems in a more sustainable way. It might be concluded that people do have relatively high rate of responsibility to maintain the water supply and sanitation systems. However, the policy and the govenmental functions do lack meeting these societal needs for education and, in a broder context, integrating people into water projects. "The science" or Reserchers could play an important role bridging State and Society to increase the feasibility of water and sanitation state-run programs.