OSCE helps advance local self-governance reform in Kazakhstan

ASTANA, 6 November 2014 – Government officials, parliamentarians, representatives of regional and local bodies of power, international organizations and civil society gathered at a roundtable discussion today in Astana to discuss the status of implementation of ongoing local self-governance reform in Kazakhstan.

The event was organized by the OSCE Centre in Astana in partnership with the National Economy Ministry, the Office of the Co-ordinator of OSCE Economic and Environmental Activities and the Soros-Kazakhstan Foundation.

More than 90 participants from all the country’s regions, including akims (mayors) from small cities and rural districts and officials from regional authorities, will discuss various aspects of the local self-governance reform, the need to further develop its legal and institutional framework and steps to take to enhance effectiveness and transparency of the authorities’ activities at the local level. 

They will also exchange views on measures related to fiscal decentralization as well as the need to introduce sound financial management and participatory budget-making processes. Experts from the Council of Europe and Mongolia will share best practices and familiarize participants with international standards of local self-governance models.

"The decentralization of power allows democratic decision-making at the local level. The full introduction of local self-governance serves as a sound foundation for the sustainable democratic development of any state, of its stability and security,” said Ambassador Natalia Zarudna, Head of the OSCE Centre in Astana. “Local self-governance should become a key element in the country’s system of power. Civil initiatives, involvement of the local population and collective responsibility for the state of affairs in every village, city or region play an important role in its successful implementation.”

Kairbek Uskenbayev, Deputy National Economy Minister said: "The task of the state is to establish effective institutions of local self-governance and civil society, in line with the best international standards. In implementing the second phase of the concept of local self-governance reform we should further delineate the functions of the government, budgeting authorities and local self-governance in particular on property issues. The government will actively work with international and non-governmental organizations to further improve the legislative framework to this end."

The event will be followed by a practical training workshop on administrative and financial aspects of local self-government reform for representatives of regional and local authorities.

It is part of the OSCE Centre's activities to promote good governance and democratization in Kazakhstan.