Meeting of the working group for the review of the EIA Protocol

On April 12-13, a meeting was held to review the protocol on environmental impact assessment (hereinafter referred to as the EIA). During the event, the deputies of the Parliament of the Republic of Kazakhstan, who took part in the meeting of the working group, raised the issue of the effectiveness of the implementation of the EIA Protocol.
This protocol today provides for broad participation of the public of Kazakhstan in the decision-making process in the Caspian countries.
Its application within the framework of cooperation primarily contributes to the economical and careful use of natural resources and the environment, thereby providing the basis for sustainable economic growth and political stability.
In addition, the implementation of the EIA protocol promotes cross-border cooperation in relation to the conservation of the used resources of the Caspian Sea. This document contributes to the prevention of conflicts, increases the value of existing systems in the country and their effectiveness.
It is important to note that the procedure for environmental impact assessment in a transboundary context is also provided for in the new Environmental Code in article 80.
The Protocol on Environmental Impact Assessment was signed in Moscow on July 20, 2018 by the Caspian Littoral States: the Republic of Azerbaijan, the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Russian Federation, and Turkmenistan. The main directions of the Protocol are: ensuring public participation in the EIA procedure, prevention, reduction and control of pollution of the marine environment and land. As well as the conservation of biological diversity and the economical use of the natural resources of the marine environment.