MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING between the Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the International Ban~ for Reconstruction and Development 1. Introduction This Memorandum of Understanding ("MOU") is between the Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation of the Republic of Kazakhstan ("MWRI") ("the Ministry") and the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development ("IBRD") ("the Bank") (each a "Participant", and jointly the "Participants"). WHEREAS, the Ministry is a state body of the Republic of Kazakhstan that exercises leadership in the formation and implementation of state policy, coordination of management processes in the areas of control in the field of use and protection of water resources, water supply, drainage and irrigation. WHEREAS, the Bank is an international development institution established by articles of agreement adopted by its member countries. The Bank's mission is to end extreme poverty and boost shared prosperity on a livable planet. It achieves these objectives by providing loans, concessional financing, technical assistance, and knowledge-sharing services to its member countries and through partnerships with other organizations. The Bank has an interest in collaborating with public and private entities to improve the effectiveness of development assistance, thereby contributing to the achievement of the sustainable development goals. THEREFORE, the Participants enter into this MOU to describe their mutual intention to collaborate and cooperate on the common objectives described below. 2. Overall Objectives The Participants desire to collaborate in the area of potential programs and activities that may foster cooperation to improve water resources, environmental conditions and management, including in the North Aral Sea, benefiting communities in the Aral Sea and adjacent basin areas of the Republic of Kazakhstan. This MOU provides a framework within which the Participants may develop and undertake collaborative activities and is not intended to interfere with the Participants' independent decision- making with regard to their own respective administration and operations. 3. Activities and Areas of Collaboration The Participants plan and anticipate to carry out the following activities: (a) Foster joint innovation and technical exchange: Collaborate on research and technical exchange in innovation and technology, specifically in data acquisition leveraging remote sensing capabilities. (b) Enhance integrated water resource management: Share expertise and best practices in areas such as basin management, joint planning, flood and drought risk management, irrigation efficiency, and the digitalization of water accounting and monitoring. -2- (c) Promote technical exchange and capacity building: Collaborate to organize and support joint training seminars, workshops, and conferences to strengthen expertise in water resources management and engineering. (d) Facilitate knowledge sharing: Collaborate to disseminate ideas, lessons learned in water resources management and engineering, to the public through accessible channels such as publications, workshops, the internet, and public events. (e) Plan joint initiatives: Jointly develop activities of mutual interest, ensuring alignment with each organization's mandate and priorities. (f) Maintain financial accountability: Each Participant bears its own financial and operational responsibilities related to activities outlined in this Memorandum. 4. Intellectual Property The Participants acknowledge that nothing in this MOU is intended to grant a Participant the right to use intellectual property owned or controlled by another Participant. The Participants intend to jointly decide in writing on the ownership and use of any intellectual property deriving from activities under this MOU. The Participants also acknowledge that they may not use the name, mark, or logo of another Participant, or any variation thereof, without the prior written approval of the appropriate Participant. 5. Publicity and Confidentiality This MOU may be publicly disclosed by the Participants. Such disclosure will be made subject to the Participants' respective disclosure or access to information policies. Any information shared between the Participants under this MOU that is designated as "CONFIDENTIAL" may require a separate binding non-disclosure agreement to be entered into between the Participants. 6. Conflict of Interest The Ministry acknowledges the receipt of the Bank's Procurement Regulations for Borrowers under Investment Project Financing, which sets forth the Bank's rules on conflict of interest and unfair competitive advantage in relation to contracts under investment project financing. 7. Disclaimers (a) Nothing in this MOU is intended to be construed as creating a joint venture, an agency relationship, or a legal partnership between the Participants. (b) Nothing in this MOU is intended to constitute an agreement or commitment by any Participant to enter into or provide support for any specific activity or project. -3- (c) Nothing in this MOU is intended to constitute a commitment with regards to the financing of any specific activity or project. (d) Each Participant is responsible for its respective costs and expenses that may be incurred in connection with the activities described in this MOU. (e) Nothing in this MOU restricts a Participant from entering similar arrangements with third parties covering the same or similar subject matter areas or activities. (f) Nothing herein is intended to prevent the Participants from entering into separate and legally binding agreements related to the areas of collaboration described in this MOU, or otherwise, provided, however, that any such separate and legally binding agreements are discussed and executed separately from this MOU and be subject to the specific terms and conditions set forth therein. (g) This MOU is not an international treaty within the meaning of the Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties ( 1969) and does not create any rights and obligations for the Participants under international law. 8. Privileges and Immunities Nothing in this MOU is intended to be a waiver of the privileges and immunities of any of the Participants or their officers and employees, as applicable, which privileges and immunities are hereby specifically reserved. 9. Disagreements The Participants acknowledge their intent to resolve any disagreements arising out of this MOU amicably. 10. Term and Termination The Participants intend to cooperate as set out in this MOU for an initial period of one (I) year. The Participants endeavor, if they wish to no longer collaborate as set out in this MOU, to end their collaboration under this MOU by: (1) mutual written declaration of the Participants; or (2) a unilateral statement in writing by any Participant thirty (30) calendar days in advance of the intended end of their engagement to the other Participant. 11. Notices, Communications, and Amendments The Participants intend that notices, communication, and amendments related to this MOU are made in writing (wet ink or electronic mail). -4- 12. Official Representatives and Addresses Unless notified otherwise, each Participant designates below its representative with overall responsibility for all activities and communication in connection with this MOU. For the Bank: Tatiana Proskuryakova Country Director The World Bank 1818 H Street, NW Washington, DC 20433 United States of America E-mail: tproskuryakova@worldbank.org For the Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation of the Republic of Kazakhstan Bolat Bekniyaz First Vice Minister Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation of the Republic of Kazakhstan Astana, Mangilik El Avenue 10, 16B Entrance Email: kense@minsu.gov.kz; b.bekniyaz@minsu.gov.kz [remainder of the page intentionally left blank] -5- 13. Miscellaneous This MOU is only intended to set out a summary of the understandings between the Participants. Nothing expressed or implied herein (whether by operation of law or otherwise) is intended to legally commit or oblige any Participant to perform or observe any of the provisions herein, and this MOU is not intended to create any binding and enforceable obligations nor any rights to the Participants. For the Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation ~h of the Republic ofKazak =s.......__ Authorized Representative Name: Bolat Bekniyaz Title: First Vice Minister/ / (}~ 2 Date: !JeCUJ7/J~JI 7 o~L For the International Bank of Reconstruction and Development By_ / _ _ _ _ _ __ _ ~ ___.'- Authorized Representative Name: Tatiana Proskuryakova Title: Country Director, Central Asia Date : JV OVe,,'f')\)e,{" d-- C3 > '}O d.. '\