OSCE Centre co-organizes workshop on transparency in the oil, gas and mining, industries

AKTAU, 15 June 2009 - An OSCE Centre co-organized two-day workshop on transparency and public participation in decision-making in extractive industries, such as oil, gas and mining, opened today in Aktau in western Kazakhstan.

The workshop brought together more than 40 participants, including representatives from government authorities, non-governmental organizations, extractive companies and international organizations, as well as international experts.

During the workshop, participants will discuss the importance of accountability in managing extractive-sector revenues, co-operation between different stakeholders and the development of models of local public oversight of the government and industry. Participants particularly focused on transparency and public participation in social infrastructure projects in the Mangistau Oblast.

Addressing participants, Ambassador Alexandre Keltchewsky, Head of the OSCE Centre in Astana said: "In order to promote effective and sustainable economic development, it is very important to provide more transparent information about extractive companies' social investment projects and to include the public in the decision-making process on the implementation of these projects."

The workshop is part of the OSCE Centre in Astana's engagement in the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative in Kazakhstan. It was jointly organized by the OSCE Centre in Astana, the Soros Foundation Kazakhstan and the Aktau-based non-governmental organization Eco Mangistau.

Amangeldy Aitkulov, Deputy Akim of Mangistau Oblast, added: "The oil and gas industry plays a dominant role in the economy of Mangistau oblast, and this, in combination with our responsibility to preserve natural resources for future generations, makes the oblast's authorities support initiatives aimed at increasing the number of industrial enterprises in the region that support the Transparency Initiative."