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On November 14, 2025, a roundtable on “Implementation of the Principles of the Aarhus Convention in Kazakhstan: Results and Priority Directions for Further Development” was held in Astana, Kazakhstan.
The event, organized by the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the republican state enterprise “Information and Analytical Center for Environmental Protection” with the support of the OSCE, brought together leading experts in the field of ecology, representatives of government bodies, NGOs, and the business community.
Participants discussed a wide range of topics, including Kazakhstan’s fulfillment of its international obligations under the Aarhus Convention, the role of regional Aarhus centers, the practice of holding public hearings, and raising environmental awareness among the population.
Special attention was given to challenges arising in the local implementation of the convention’s provisions.
“The principles of the Aarhus Convention are not just a formality but a real tool for establishing dialogue between authorities, business, and society. Their consistent application in conducting public hearings is key to preventing conflicts and making environmentally balanced decisions,” said Galina Chernova, Director of the Globus Center for Environmental and Legal Initiatives (Atyrau).
The sessions also covered topics such as the National Pollutant Release and Transfer Register (PRTR) system, the implementation of the ‘Taza Kazakhstan’ initiative, climate policy, and issues related to the application of environmental legislation.
“In this session, we examined specific cases where citizen engagement helped identify optimal and fair environmental solutions,” noted Yerlan Zhumabayev, Director of the Country Office of the Regional Environmental Center for Central Asia (CAREC) in Kazakhstan.
The roundtable provided an important platform for open dialogue and the development of concrete proposals to further strengthen citizens’ environmental rights and the country’s sustainable development.
Background:
The Aarhus Convention is an international agreement that guarantees citizens’ rights to access environmental information, participate in decision-making, and access justice in environmental matters. Kazakhstan has been a Party to the Convention since 2001.
Additional Information:
Yerlan Zhumabayev – Director of the CAREC Country Office in Kazakhstan, kazakhstan@carececo.org