Kazakhstan puts energy and water on BRICS agenda ahead of New Delhi summit

September 5, 2026 at 09:14 PM2 min

This digest was compiled by AI from multiple sources — links to the originals are below.

Kazakhstan has outlined energy, critical minerals, transport corridors and global water security as priority areas for cooperation within BRICS. Ambassador Azamat Yeskarayev presented the country's position at the BRICS Energy Partnerships for Progress and Prosperity dialogue in New Delhi. The initiative comes a week before the XVIII BRICS summit scheduled for September 12-13, 2026 in the Indian capital.

Key Facts

Kazakhstan's ambassador to India, Azamat Yeskarayev, presented the country's cooperation priorities at the BRICS Energy Partnerships for Progress and Prosperity dialogue in New Delhi.
The priorities include traditional and renewable energy, critical minerals, transport corridors, and global water security.
Kazakhstan has held BRICS partner-country status since January 1, 2025.
The XVIII BRICS summit is scheduled for September 12-13, 2026 in New Delhi.
President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev's initiative to create an International Water Organization under UN auspices was raised at the New Delhi meeting.

Energy and Minerals Focus

Energy security was one of the central topics of the New Delhi meeting, with participants discussing traditional and renewable energy, modern technologies, infrastructure, investment, and critical minerals. Special attention was paid to the resilience of supply chains and the development of new energy and transport corridors. Ambassador Yeskarayev presented Kazakhstan's capabilities in traditional energy, renewable energy sources, and critical minerals. The discussion focused on areas of cooperation that Kazakhstan intends to promote within the BRICS format, rather than a specific project or signed deal.

Water Initiative

President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev's initiative to establish an International Water Organization under UN auspices was raised during the New Delhi meeting. Kazakhstan links this initiative to water, food, and energy security, arguing that growing pressure on water resources requires more coordinated international action. Tokayev has previously spoken of creating the International Water Organization as a UN agency, noting that the initiative is being considered in the context of reforming international governance and revising UN mandates. The president has also linked water diplomacy to the state of the Aral Sea, the Caspian Sea, Lake Balkhash, and transboundary rivers.

Summit Context

Kazakhstan's activity in New Delhi comes immediately before the XVIII BRICS summit, scheduled for September 12-13, 2026 in the Indian capital. Participation of the Kazakh delegation in the summit was confirmed during August talks between First Deputy Foreign Minister Yerzhan Ashikbayev and the Indian ambassador. In May 2026, Astana named trade, investment, energy, digitalization, and sustainable development among its priorities in the BRICS format.