New EU Strategy on Central Asia
On 17 June 2019, the Council of the European Union adopted conclusions on a new EU strategy on Central Asia, adapting the EU policy to new opportunities which have emerged in the region.
The Council welcomes the strengthening of relations between the EU and Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan since the adoption of the first EU strategy for Central Asia in 2007.
The Council endorses the Joint Communication on “The EU and Central Asia: New Opportunities for a Stronger Partnership” by the High Representative and the European Commission which, together with the Council conclusions, provides a new policy framework for EU engagement with the countries of Central Asia over the coming years. The new strategy focuses on promoting resilience, prosperity, and regional cooperation in Central Asia.
UNECE Environmental Performance Reviews
The Environmental Performance Review (EPR) Programme assists and supports ECE member countries in improving their environmental management and performance; promotes information exchange on policies and experiences among countries; helps in the integration of the environmental policies into economic sectors; promotes greater accountability to the public; strengthens cooperation with the international community; and contributes to the achievement and monitoring of relevant Sustainable Development Goals. An EPR is an assessment of the progress a country has made in reconciling its environmental and economic targets and in meeting its international environmental commitments. As a voluntary exercise, the EPR is undertaken at the request of the country under review.
More the EPR on the UNECE website: https://unece.org/about-environmental-performance-review-epr-programme.
Kazakhstan Environmental Code
The new Environmental Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan was adopted on 2 January 2021 to replace the 2007 Environmental Code. Kazakhstan introduced considerable changes in the 2021 Code, which will enter into force on 1 July 2021.
To make the new Code available for a wider English-speaking audience and interested parties, the WECOOP Project has made its unofficial translation into English with the financial support of the European Union.