Representatives of the Ministry of Ecology, Geology and Natural Resources and the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Kazakhstan, UN Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), Kazhydromet, International Green Technologies and Investment Projects Center, and civil society took part in a workshop organised under the Project “Assessment and enhancement of the national capacity of Kazakhstan to ratify the key protocols of the UNECE Convention on Long-range Transboundary Air Pollution (Air Convention) and development of a national action plan for ratification”.

The workshop was organised by the consultants of ELLE – Estonian, Latvian & Lithuanian Environment, SIA contracted by the UNECE to implement the Project, with the support of the European Union funded project “European Union – Central Asia Water, Environment and Climate Change Cooperation (WECOOP)”.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), “91% of the world’s population breath air with pollution levels exceeding the WHO limits.” In addition to human health, air pollution poses risks to the environment and the economy. Air pollution is a complex multi-layered problem. Addressing it requires a comprehensive and coherent approach – regardless of sectors and national boundaries. Air Convention, which entered into force in 1983, was the first legally binding international instrument to address air pollution at the regional level. In addition to establishing general principles for international cooperation, it establishes an institutional framework that brings together research and policy.

At the meeting, the ELLE consultants presented the preliminary results of identification of gaps in national policies and legislation on air quality assessment and management. Participants shared information necessary for accession to and implementation of the Air Convention key protocols, focusing on possible technical, institutional and regulatory measures.

Based on the results of this meeting, several possible scenarios for the ratification of the Air Convention protocols in Kazakhstan will be identified and their economic assessment will be carried out. Further, the most feasible scenario will be applied to develop a draft National Action Plan for ratification.

Background: The EU-funded project “European Union – Central Asia Water, Environment and Climate Change Cooperation” (WECOOP) (third phase from October 2019 to October 2022) aims to enhance environment, climate change and water policies at national levels in Central Asia through approximation to EU standards and to promote investments in relevant sectors with the aim of contributing to measurable reductions in man-made pollution, including CO2 emission. The project activities include support to the EU–CA Platform for Environment and Water Cooperation and its Working Group on Environment and Climate Change, as well as implementation of the EU Green Deal’s international dimension in Central Asia to advance climate action.

For additional information, please contact:

Mrs Yelena Serebrennikova
WECOOP Senior Communication Expert
email: media@wecoop.eu
mobile/WhatsApp +77019814020

Ms Nurgul Smagulova
WECOOP Event and Communication Officer
email: nurgul.smagulova@wecoop.eu
mobile/WhatsApp +77012066760

Ms Yerkezhan Amriyeva
Political, Press and Information Section
EU Delegation to Kazakhstan
email: yerkezhan.amriyeva@eeas.europa.eu

EVENT MATERIALS: https://wecoop.eu/events/stakeholder-workshop-kazakhstan-air-convention/