Economy and environment

Volunteers plant trees in the Charyn national park as part of an OSCE project on environmental protection in Kazakhstan. (OSCE/Sergey Pogorelov)

A well-adjusted economy and a balanced approach to the environment are vital for the creation and maintenance of stable social conditions. Support for sustainable economic growth through the promotion of good governance and environmental development are important factors in helping to build democratic institutions and open societies relying on the principles of the rule of law and sustainable development. This forms the core of the OSCE Centre's activities in this field and is considered to be one of the keys to preventing social tension.

The need for promotion of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) is also essential for sustainable economic development, especially taking into account the fact that Kazakhstan's economy is heavily reliant on the oil and gas sector. In the light of the delicate balance between environmental issues and economic development, the Centre continues to promote the establishment of sustainable and ecologically friendly SMEs and to eliminate institutional and administrative barriers that may hamper their operations.

In this respect, the Centre is continuing its support of legislation to combat money laundering and the financing of terrorism, as well as helping to strengthen the anti-corruption institutional and legal framework by providing expertise and assisting in the introduction of best practices.

The Centre also aims to raise national and international awareness of the relevance of environmental issues for the region's security. It has taken on a leading role in promoting the implementation of international environmental agreements in Kazakhstan, in particular with regard to public access and participation in environmental decision-making, which is seen as an indispensable tool for making environmental issues more transparent and public. Since the settlement of environmental issues, in particular the rational and co-ordinated use of resources, can open up prospects for bilateral and regional co-operation in the whole of Central Asia, the Centre promotes concrete activities targeting such co-operation. Special attention is given to radiological safety and addressing the needs of the vulnerable population.

Дата добавления: 2015-07-02