A national round-table discussion on legal implementation of the UNECE Protocol on Strategic Environmental Assessment was held in Astana, Kazakhstan last month.

Underpinning the round table was a legislative review prepared by UNECE experts, assessing the existing legislative framework of Kazakhstan vis-à-vis the requirements of the Protocol.

According to UNECE, based on the review of the existing national planning system and the environmental assessment of the strategic developmental plans and programs, the UNECE review provided recommendations for aligning the national legislative framework with the provisions of the Protocol on SEA and outlined major steps to ensure a systemic and effective application of strategic environmental assessment (SEA) in Kazakhstan.

During the discussion, the value attached to SEA as a development tool by Kazakhstan was clearly stated.

For UNECE, development of the draft review is only the first step in assistance to Kazakhstan with regard to SEA. UNECE stood ready to assist in the development of amendments to the legal framework, the development of guidelines and the building capacities of national planning authorities on the practical application of SEA.

The round table resulted in recommendations to the Government on further steps for establishing a national SEA system.

Participating in the discussions were representatives of federal and local government bodies, including the parliament, the President’s office, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of Industry and Development, the municipalities of Astana and Karaganda, environmental experts, industrial associations, and non-governmental organizations.  The event was organized by the Ministry of Energy in cooperation with UNECE and the Scientific Research Center “Green Academy” in the framework of the Joint EU/UNDP/UNECE project, "Supporting Kazakhstan's Transition to a Green Economy Model".