OSCE Centre concluded series of training seminars on environmental protection

ASTANA, 23 July 2010 - OSCE-supported training courses on the role of civil society in resolving environmental issues and improving waste management and pollution control in the Caspian Sea region concluded today.

The series of workshops started on 14 July and were held in three regions of western Kazakhstan, with the participation of experts from the local administration and representatives from non-governmental organizations, industry and media.

The participants learned about the Aarhus Convention, which addresses access to information, public participation in decision-making and access to justice in environmental matters. They discussed the role of the Aarhus Centre in the Caspian Sea region in ensuring co-operation among involved parties, particularly in view of increased exploitation of natural resources in the Caspian Sea.

"The seminars showed that there is a growing understanding in the region of the urgent need to build co-operation among interested stakeholders for resolving environmental problems," said Jeannette Kloetzer, the Deputy Head of the OSCE Centre in Astana. "The newly established Aarhus Centre is providing the authorities, civil society and commercial companies with a platform for dialogue to address environmental issues in the region.".

The awareness-raising seminars were complemented by specialized training on international legal instruments and best practices for sustainable development, waste management and pollution control.

The seminars were held by the OSCE Centre in close partnership with Kazakhstan's Ministry of Environment, the Aarhus Centre in Atyrau and the National Aarhus Centre based in Astana.