OSCE Centre supports training seminar in Northern Kazakhstan on Aarhus Convention

A two-day OSCE-supported workshop on implementing the Aarhus Convention in the context of the integrated water resources management and the country’s strategy of transition to a green economy, concluded on 27 August 2014 in Petropavlovsk, Northern Kazakhstan.

The event was co-organized by the OSCE Centre in Astana, the North Kazakhstan State University and the North Kazakhstan Aarhus Centre. It brought together more than 40 local authorities, researchers, academics, entrepreneurs, experts and civil society activists.

Participants discussed environmental challenges in the region and development of relevant action plans. They focused on the environmental priorities, most notably water scarcity, the quality of drinking water and the need to establish a regional water centre. Projects developed by the local university and research centres were presented during the event.

The seminar is part of the Centre’s activities dedicated to the implementation of the Aarhus Convention on access to information, justice and public participation in decision-making with regard to environmental matters.