The concept of IWRM is a new one in Kazakhstan and the CWR requires technical support in the preparation of the

Plans. An IWRM approach seeks to address a countrys key water -related development problemswater for health, for food, for energy, for environmentmore effectively and efficiently than is possible using traditional approaches. One of the main principles of IWRM is the strong participation of stakeholders. A key aspect of stakeholder participation in Kazakhstan is the introduction, through the new Water Code, of River Basin Councils (RBCs). RBCs are a new approach to water resources management in Kazakhstan. Indeed, allowing non-government organisations, including the public, into the decision making process of government organisations is new to Kazakhstan. The CWR, through its River Basin Organisations (RBOs), is charged with establishing the Basin Councils.

STRATEGY Main steps in the actual preparation of the Plan are: a description of the current situation in water resources management, in the efficiency of water use and how decisions are made and actions taken a vision of where the country wants to be in the future in terms of its water resources: the quality of the resource, efficiency of use, the decision making process, how actions will be taken to solve problems, etc. a map outlining how to move from here and now to where Kazakhstan wants to be in the future, with milestones, time frames, indicators of change, etc. in other words, a transition strategy