Public participation in environmental decision-making process in focus of OSCE supported expert meeting in Kazakhstan

An OSCE Programme Office in Astana-supported expert group meeting on enhancing public participation in environmental decision-making through applying mechanisms under the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) took place on 29 August 2016 in Ust-Kamengorsk, East Kazakhstan.

The event was co-organized by the Office and the Eastern Kazakhstan Aarhus Centre and brought together some 40 representatives of government, private sector, non-governmental organizations and academia.

Participants discussed opportunities for social investments in the region and explored ways for civil society’s involvement in environmental decision-making, promoting better access to environmental information as well as enhancing interaction between government, civil society and business representatives. As a result of the discussions, an action plan and a set of follow-up recommendations for the expert group were produced.

The EITI is a key international instrument to promote public awareness about how countries manage their oil, gas and mineral resources. The project is an important part of the Office’s multi-year efforts to advance international standards under the Aarhus Convention in Kazakhstan.