OSCE Centre promotes independent monitoring of social projects in Kazakhstan's extractive industry

AKTAU, Kazakhstan, 28 January 2010 - An OSCE-supported roundtable discussion on the independent monitoring and assessment of social projects in the extractive industry began in the Caspian Sea region of Kazakhstan today.

The event brought together more than 40 participants from extractive companies as well as non-governmental and international organizations. Members of a special board of experts in charge of ensuring that some extractive industry revenues are used to benefit society, which was established under the auspices of the local administration, also took part.

Event participants discussed best international practices for assessing social projects. They underscored the importance of revenue transparency and accountability in the extractive sector, and discussed best ways of using the resources for investment projects designed to improve local social infrastructure. A number of recommendations were drawn, including for improving the work of the local board of experts to facilitate co-operation between governmental authorities, extractive companies and civil society in the region.

Addressing the participants, Stefan Buchmayer, the Acting Economic and Environmental Officer at the OSCE Centre in Astana, said: "We consider revenue accountability in the extractive sector to be of utmost importance, and the existence of political will is a vital starting point for any discussions. We will continue to support dialogue on the matter among stakeholders in the region."

Amangeldy Aitkulov, the Deputy Akim of Mangystau Oblast, added: "The regional administration attaches great importance to the activity of governmental institutions, NGOs and extractive industry companies in addressing social and economic issues related to enhancing the economic well-being and ecological balance of the region."

The three-day event was organized jointly by the OSCE Centre in Astana, the Soros Foundation Kazakhstan and the Aktau-based non-governmental organization Eco Mangystau as a follow-up to the Centre's activities to promote the principles of the Extractive Industry Transparency Initiative (EITI) in the Caspian Sea region in 2009.