Information note on the Aarhus convention
The Aarhus convention- convention of the UN Economic Commission for Europe “on Access to information, public participation in decision-making and access to justice in environment matters”.
Objective-Human rights support on favorable environment for its health and well-being, on Access to information, public participation in decision-making and access to justice in environment matters.
The Aarhus convention is founded on three fundamental principles of public participation:
-Access to ecological information.
-Public Participation in adoption of ecologically significant decisions
-Access to justice in environment matters
Kazakhstan ratified Convention “on Access to information, public participation in decision-making and access to justice in environment matters” [the Aarhus convention, Law of the Republic of Kazakhstan on October 23, 2000 N 92-II).
The convention imposes a number of obligations for support and public rules realization supply on state authorities within the framework of all three fundamental principles.
TMinistry of Environment protection of RK is authorized body on convention implementation.
For Aarhus convention implementation on March 20, 2009 the Aarhus center was founded under the Ministry of Environment protection of RK on the basis of RSE “Information-analytical center of environmental protection” (Order of MEP RK №35) with following function:
-Available ecological information accordance on
Inquiry of individuals and entities.
-Publications in mass media, performances on radio and television, carrying out the advertising companies, and also information maintenance of the planned and carried out public hearings
-Placement of ecological information on the Aarhus center’s web-site www.aarhus.kz
The center provides access to information, public participation in decision-making and access to justice in environment matters according to provisions of the Aarhus convention in coordination with MEWR RK.
The main objectives of the Center are:
Providing of property rights to the timely receipt of reliable and comprehensive information about the state of environment, about proposed and existing activities which may have a significant impact on the environment
establishing the relationship between the public and public authorities;
providing practical assistance to government agencies and officials to fulfill their obligations on implement the provisions of the Convention;
environmental education and raising public awareness of environmental issues in Kazakhstan and the world;
promotion of public participation in decision-making and access to related to environmental justice in environmental matters of the environment;
study of international experience and the development of international cooperation in the Aarhus Convention implementation.
The main functions of the Center are:
Available ecological information accordance on
Inquiry of individuals and entities
counseling of individuals and entities on the use their rights of access to environmental information, participation in decision-making and access to justice in environmental matters (issues);
carrying out educational activities (seminars, public lectures), including an increase of staff training level;
Publications in mass media, performances on radio and television, carrying out the advertising companies
collection, accumulation, systematization, storage and dissemination of environmental information
Placement of ecological information on the Internet
support the development of projects and activities for the implementation of the Aarhus Convention;
promotion of individuals and entities in access to draft legislation, programs, plans, environmental policies and the organization of their public discussion.
Communication support with the Secretariat of the Aarhus Convention through the coordinator of the Aarhus Convention, the responsible official. Cooperation with the Secretariat of the Aarhus Convention includes:
– Preparation and presentation of reports and reports on the the Aarhus Convention implementation in the Republic in accordance with the format and procedures;
– The use of guidelines, recommendations on the Aarhus Convention implementation;
– Participation in the meeting of the parties, conferences and seminars of the Aarhus Convention;
– Decisions implementation of Meetings of the Aarhus Convention.
In accordance with the Program “Zhasyl Damu” considering the possibility of accession to the Protocol Pollutant Emission Register Transfer. Protocol regulates information on pollution of the environment by business entities and is aimed at strengthening public scrutiny in this area. The establishment of national PRTRs under the Protocol is largely facilitate the collection of data necessary for the all forms preparation of environmental reporting. Work has begun on the development and maintenance of the National Register of Pollutant Release and Transfer.
In Kazakhstan 8 Aarhus Centres work to date:
– PF “Burabay Aarhus Centre”;
– Foundation “North Kazakhstan Aarhus Centre”;
– PF “Mangistau Aarhus Centre”;
– PF “Aarhus Centre of Almaty”;
– PF “Aarhus Centre Kyzylorda”;
– PF “Aarhus Committee of Kazakhstan.”
– CF “Zhaiyk-Caspian Aarhus Centre”;
– PF Astana The Aarhus Centre “.
