Kazakhstani environmental experts in Armenia for Aarhus study visit

YEREVAN, 20 November 2009 - Armenian and Kazakhstani experts exchanged experiences in addressing environmental challenges, in particular with implementing the Aarhus Convention, during a study visit by delegates from Kazakhstan's Aarhus centres that concluded in Yerevan today.

The Aarhus Convention addresses access to information, public participation in decision-making and access to justice in environmental matters. During the OSCE-supported three-day trip to Armenia, the Aarhus centre delegates from Kazakhstan visited the Armenian regional Aarhus centres and met members of the Armenian Aarhus network, civil society and state representatives.

"This study tour was a unique opportunity for our delegation to learn about the work of our Armenian colleagues, who have extensive experience in developing a viable Aarhus public environmental information centre network. We hope that we will benefit from the knowledge and the experience," said Elaman Ilyassov, the co-ordinator of the Kazakhstan regional Aarhus Centre in Atyrau.

"Promoting implementation of all three pillars of the Aarhus convention in the OSCE area helps to ensure environmental security and we hope that this joint initiative and good co-operation between Kazakhstan and Armenia can contribute to this aim," said Christoph Opfermann, the Economic and Environmental Officer at the OSCE Office in Yerevan.