OSCE helps implement local self-governance reform in Kazakhstan

ASTANA, 13 December 2013 – Good governance at the local level was the main topic of a two-day event which concluded today in Astana.

The roundtable discussion and training seminars were organized by the OSCE Centre in Astana in co-operation with the Regional Development Ministry, the Soros Foundation Kazakhstan and Konrad Adenauer Foundation and with support from the Embassy of Poland.

Some 70 parliamentarians, officials from the Regional Development and Economy Ministries, representatives of civil society and international organizations as well as newly-elected mayors from the country’s regions gathered to review the progress of local self-governance reform.

A specific focus on the interim results of two pilot projects implemented with OSCE support in the rural area of Kazakhstan. Experts from Hungary, Poland and the United Kingdom presented best practices and tools used to ensure responsive and accountable governance in towns and villages. Participants prepared a set of recommendations for authorities on improving local self-governance in Kazakhstan in view of the second stage of the reform planned for 2015.

"Local self-governance is an indispensable element of inclusive democratic decision-making and effective management in the socio-economic field, as it ensures a wide participation of citizens and helps make local authorities accountable to the people,” said Ambassador Natalia Zarudna, Head of the Centre in Astana, adding that due regard must be given to the international experience to ensure effective implementation of the concept.

Vice Minister of Regional Development Serik Zhumangarin spoke about the plans for furthering the reform: “At the first stage of the local self-governance reform we plan to increase the potential of the existing local management system by involving citizens into decision-making procedures and by developing new financial tools. Starting from 2015, we should define new functions of the local authorities, their involvement in budget planning and its implementation and introduce an institute of municipal property ownership.”

The activity is part of the Centre's work in promoting good governance and democratization in Kazakhstan.