OSCE Centre in Astana promotes transparency in construction of Western Europe – Western China Transport-Transit Corridor

A roundtable meeting to present and discuss the National Transparency and Sustainable Development Report related to the construction of the Western Europe – Western China International Transport-Transit Corridor took place on 13 November 2013 in Astana.

The meeting was convened under the auspices of the Transport and Communications Ministry and brought together some 20 members of the National Expert Council of Transparency and Sustainable Development (NECTSD), governmental officials, representatives of private companies and international banks.

The Expert Council was established under a Memorandum of Understanding between the government, private construction companies and NGOs to help with the prevention, registration and addressing of socio-economic, labour, environmental and corruption violations in areas covered by the Memorandum. The participants discussed the work of the NECTSD, citing it as a good example of a public-private partnership to be continued in the coming years.

The report is issued in the Kazakh, Russian and English languages and encompasses the outcomes and lessons learnt of two pilot projects, supported by the OSCE Centre in 2012 and 2013, by analysing data and conclusions from the monitoring carried out in 63 settlements from four regions (South Kazakhstan, Zhambyl, Kyzylorda and Aktobe) on the legal, economic, environmental and social aspects of the construction. The projects aimed at ensuring transparency, accountability and public participation in decision-making processes, taking into account the needs and proposals of the people living along the road construction route.

The recommendations outlined in the report were conveyed to the government, the local administrations and the construction companies.