The relevance of this study is driven by the growing global scarcity of water resources, increasing transboundary dependence, the deterioration of water infrastructure, and the need to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals in the field of rational water use. For Kazakhstan, this issue is of particular importance due to the limited availability of domestic water resources, high dependence on transboundary inflows, and the insufficient efficiency of existing water management mechanisms. The aim of the article is to analyze international experience in the management of water infrastructure and to substantiate economically efficient approaches for its adaptation in the context of Kazakhstan. The methodological framework of the study is based on comparative and institutional analysis, as well as the generalization of international practices. The information base includes materials from international organizations, scientific publications indexed in Scopus and Web of Science, as well as studies focused on water resource management in Kazakhstan. The results indicate that the most effective models are those that combine state regulation, economic incentives, tariff mechanisms, and private sector participation in the modernization and operation of water infrastructure. It is established that international experience supports the transition from predominantly administrative allocation of water resources to more flexible and economically grounded management mechanisms aimed at resource efficiency, investment sustainability, and environmental responsibility.

This article presents a comprehensive ecological and geographical assessment of the current state of the Zhambyl Region, aimed at identifying the characteristics of its natural resource potential, environmental problems and factors contributing to the region’s sustainable development. The aim of the study is to conduct a comprehensive assessment of the natural conditions, natural resources and environmental situation in the Zhambyl Region, identifying the main factors of human impact and the prospects for rational use of natural resources. The research methods are based on systemic, comparative-geographical, statistical, analytical and cartographic approaches.The research was based on data from the National Statistics Bureau of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the State Enterprise ‘Kazhydromet’, as well as the findings of recent domestic and international scientific studies.The findings of the study showed that the Zhambyl Region possesses significant natural resource potential, including water, land and biological resources, which support the development of agriculture, industry and other sectors of the economy. At the same time, pressing environmental problems have been identified, relating to water scarcity, land degradation, air pollution, high anthropogenic pressure and the impact of climate change. An assessment has been carried out of the current state of surface and groundwater, biodiversity, land resources and air quality, and the main sources of environmental risks and the characteristics of their geographical distribution have been identified. The need for further improvement of the environmental monitoring system, the rational use of natural resources, the introduction of resource-saving technologies and the implementation of environmental protection measures has been substantiated.

The article assesses the impact of climate change on the water resources of the Amudarya River basin. The Amudarya River is fed by thawed snow and glacial waters. Glaciers have a significant role in the water supply of agriculture, as well as hydropower. Due to the intensive melting of glaciers in the short term, the flow of some rivers will increase. However, in the long term, the runoff will decrease, and some glaciers may disappear altogether. An important task of this study was to take into account the work of researchers working on environmental problems in the Amudarya basin. Since the ecology of the transboundary Amudarya River is in the sphere of national interests of several countries: Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan and Kazakhstan, certain conditions for cross-border cooperation are being formed. The main problem of cooperation is unstable river regimes, which require continuous planning and negotiations on the allocation of resources, and which are exacerbated by climate change. The main consequences of the influence of climate change on the formation of water resources and water use in the Amudarya River basin are highlighted.