OSCE Centre supports forum on environmental protection ahead of Astana Expo-2017

A two-day forum, supported by the OSCE Centre in Astana, on the role of public participation in improving environmental conditions at the Shuchinsk-Burabay recreation area was held at the Borovoe resort, near Kazakhstan’s capital from 31 July to 1 August 2014.

The forum brought together more than 40 representatives of the local administration of Shchuchinsk-Borovoe district, scientists, entrepreneurs, experts and civil society activists. The forum was designed to support open discussion of the environmental issues in the local area, which will host some of the events of the Astana Expo-2017 world exhibition.

Participants focused on public awareness of environmental issues in the area, improving co-ordination between local government and civil society regarding environmental security issues, and ways to enhance the area as a national and international tourist destination. A separate exhibition of pilot projects developed by local universities and research centres in preparation for the Astana Expo also opened.

The event was co-organized by the OSCE Centre in partnership with the Burabay Aarhus Centre and the Shchuchinsk-Borovoe district administration.

The events are part of the Centre’s activities on implementing the Aarhus Convention on access to information, justice and public participation in decision-making with regards to environmental matters, and reflect the OSCE strategy for achieving adequate environmental security across the whole country.