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UNITED NATIONS ECONOMIC COMMISSION FOR EUROPE

THE ENVIRONMENTAL PERFORMANCE REVIEW PROGRAMME

SECOND REVIEWS

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Second Environmental Performance Reviews

1. About the EPR Programme

2. Second Environmental Performance Review of Kazakhstan

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About EPRs’ current activities

• Kazakhstan (2007-2008)

• Kyrgyzstan(2008-2009)

• Uzbekistan (2008-2009)

• Other CA countries?

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Second Environmental Performance Reviews

1. About the EPR Programme

2. Second Environmental Performance Review of Kazakhstan

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Second Environmental Performance Review of

Kazakhstan

• Peer reviewed in April 2008• Document processed in 3 languages• Launch event at a round table of the

Senate 22 October 2008• Launch event in Almaty for NGOs,

business community, and else on 24 October 2008

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Policymaking framework for environment protection andsustainable development

Progress made:• SD high priority on the national political

agenda;• Initiative for SD in CA region;• Long term strategy for transition to SD• Specific institutions established• Integration of SD principles in some sectoral

activities (energy, water).• Concept of ecological safety for 2004–2015

Main findings of the review

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Policymaking framework for environment protection andsustainable development

Issues to be improved:

• Environmental pillar of SD is the weakest (strong stress on economic development, appropriate stress on social issues)

• Fostering of SD programmes and action plans on the local level is needed

• Integration of environmental and social issues into sectoral policies and strategies

• Cross-sectoral cooperation/coordination between bodies at all levels

Main findings of the review

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Legislation/Compliance and enforcement

Progress made:

• 2007 Environmental Code• Regulatory and institutional reforms

launched (integrated permitting)• Status of inspection and enforcement bodies

elevated• Institutional framework for compliance

monitoring improved (structural/procedural reforms, allocation of resources)

Main findings of the review

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Capacity for environmental management

SD high priority• Regional SD planning should be

established in SD zones• Lack of awareness and capacity at local

level• See Rec 1.2• See Rec 3.6

Main findings of the review

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Capacity for environmental management

Permitting system

• Integrated permitting (environmental code 2007)/BAT

• Progress: structural and procedural reform of the institutions

• Inspection body: insufficient competence about production processes and economic evaluation

• Insufficient staff training• See Rec. 2.1• See Rec. 2.2• See Rec 2.3 on improvements of tools

Main findings of the review

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Main findings of the review

Sustainable management of water resources

Progress made:

• Water Code (2003)• 8 river basins, RBOs • Modernization of water policy (integrated

management of water resources)• International cooperation on

transboundary waters • International assistance active in this field

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Capacity for environmental management

Integrated Water resources Management

• Lack of intersectoral and inter-institutional coordination on water issues

• Reform and strengthening of administration needed

• Increased staff capacity needed• New skills and modern working tools to be

introduced• Training needed• See Rec 9.3

Main findings of the review

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Capacity for environmental management

• On international agreements and commitments: Issues to be improved: capacity and allocated resources for implementation of agreements and commitments

• On financing environmental protection: lacking local capacity for planning, financing and implementing protection measures (Rec 6.3)

• On access to justice on environmental matters: Rec 3.5 is calling for building capacities of civil servants and the judiciary system.

• …etc.

Main findings of the review

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Outcomes of the review

35 recommendations

•that are addressed to specific bodies, not only to the Ministry of Environmental Protection•Of which more than 20% somehow concern the improvement of capacities/institutional development for better environmental governance

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THANK YOU for your attention.

UNECE EPR Team

EPR Reviews

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