OSCE Centre supports workshop on green economy in Kazakhstan
ASTANA, 11 April 2014 – Enhancing the national legislation for transition to a green economy in Kazakhstan is the main topic of an OSCE-supported workshop that started today.
The OSCE Centre in Astana organized this event in partnership with the Parliament of Kazakhstan, the Environment and Water Resources Ministry and the Green Academy scientific research institute.
Some 40 members and employees of the Parliament, officials from the Environment and Water Resources Ministry, representatives of civil society as well as national and international experts attended the workshop, which aimed to facilitate an exchange of views and best practices related to the harmonization of the national green economy legislation with international standards. It will also try to identify the priority tasks for the Parliament in this field.
“The implementation of the sustainable development concept, most notably the principles of "green" growth, is an all-encompassing function of the government, which has to regulate it in a systematic way and on a long-term basis," said Ambassador Natalia Zarudna, Head of the OSCE Centre in Astana. "We are pleased to note a more profound understanding of this necessity in Kazakhstan, as evidenced by the establishment of the relevant law enforcement institutions and development of procedures in this area. Today’s event is one more proof to it.”
Talgat Ahsambiyev, Environment and Water Resources Vice-Minister stated: “For coping with complex tasks in the transition to a green economy our Ministry, as an institution to implement the concept, should join efforts with all government agencies, MPs, international and non-governmental organizations and the business community.”
Vice-Minister Ahsambiyev also added that the country developed a modern legal framework for the transition to a green economy, which allows carrying out the systematic transformations. “It is aimed primarily at stopping the waste of natural riches, expanding our resource basis and improving quality of life for Kazakhstan citizens.”
The event is part of the Centre’s long-term efforts to promote a green economy in the framework of a general sustainable development and environmental security concept.