Public participation in environmental decision-making through Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative in focus of OSCE event in Kazakhstan

OSKEMEN, Kazakhstan, 3 June 2016 – An OSCE-supported roundtable discussion for some 40 representatives of government, business, civil society and academia on public participation in environmental decision-making through the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) took place today in Oskemen, Eastern Kazakhstan Region.

The event was organized by the OSCE Programme Office in Astana in partnership with the Eastern Kazakhstan Aarhus Centre and focused on the environmental footprint and social responsibility of extractive companies in the region.

Participants discussed how to promote the open and accountable management of natural resources, explored methods of using EITI mechanisms to promote effective dialogue among stakeholders and raise awareness about how countries maintain transparency in the oil, gas and mineral sectors. 

“Today’s event is important because it allows us to discuss the environmental impacts of the extractive industry and the government’s role in regulating the process. We hope that the solutions proposed today will help promote the sound implementation of EITI in the region,” said Irina Smith, Deputy Head of Internal Policy for the Eastern Kazakhstan Region.

Rati Japaridze, Economic and Environmental Officer of the OSCE Programme Office in Astana, said: “The implementation of EITI can encourage investment by making it clear that a country supports increased transparency and accountability. Thus, in addition to the government, companies and investors can also use EITI to promote a strong investment environment.”

The event aims to support the establishment of a multilateral expert group under the Eastern Kazakhstan Region’s Public Council to promote the EITI concept. It is part of the Programme Office’s multi-year efforts to promote international standards of the Aarhus Convention in the host country.