OSCE promotes environmental awareness in Turkmenistan
TURKMENBASHI, Turkmenistan, 4 October 2016 – The Aarhus Convention, a UN document on access to environmental information, public participation in decision-making and access to justice in environmental matters, was the focus of an OSCE-supported seminar for 25 representatives of the local authorities, commercial organizations, civil society, media and the general public, held today in Turkmenbashi, Turkmenistan.
The seminar was organized by the OSCE-supported Aarhus Centre of Turkmenistan, in co-operation with the State Committee of Turkmenistan for Nature Protection and Land Resources (SCTNPLR). Discussions focused on administrative liability in the area of environmental protection, the importance of awareness-raising about air pollution and activities of the Caspian Environmental Control Service of the SCTNPLR in the area of the implementation of environmental legislation.
“The implementation of the Aarhus Convention is a multi-step process which requires a systematic approach, including strengthening knowledge and understanding among officials at all levels of government of their respective obligations and responsibilities within the framework of the Convention,” said Natalya Drozd, Head of the OSCE Centre in Ashgabat.
“The OSCE Centre in Ashgabat has been supporting the activities of the Aarhus Centre to enhance awareness about environmental issues through different campaigns throughout the regions.”
The participants discussed the implementation of the Aarhus Conventions and other international documents related to environment as well as activities of the Aarhus Centre of Turkmenistan and Society for Environmental Protection of Turkmenbashi city.
This seminar concluded a series of similar events, held in Ashgabat and Mary throughout the year.
The Aarhus Centre of Turkmenistan Project was launched in 2012 by the Tebigy Kuwwat public organization, with the support of the OSCE Centre in Ashgabat, and in co-operation with the SCTNPLR, former Ministry of Nature Protection.