OSCE supports awareness raising seminar on Kazakhstan’s new Environmental Code

An OSCE-supported awareness-raising seminar on Kazakhstan's new Environmental Code took place on 8 September 2021. The event was conducted by online format and was attended by some 90 representatives from the Parliament, municipal ecology departments, non-governmental organizations and the private sector.

This event is the final in a series of three seminars organized by the OSCE Programme Office in Nur-Sultan in partnership with Kazakhstan's Association of Environmental Organizations. Its goal was to further raise awareness on the regulations of Kazakhstan's new Environmental Code that was passed in January 2021 and entered into force in July of this year.

The seminar focused on legal aspects of the new regulatory framework, including the principle of public participation, the right of access to environmentally sensitive information, and the polluter pays concept. The participants also discussed aspects of implementing public expertise and obtaining permits for construction.

The event is part of the Programme Office's long-term effort to promote the 'green' economy in the host country as well as sustainable development principles in strengthening environmental security.