The pilot register, which includes information on releases and transfers of pollutants from companies operating in the eastern Kazakhstan region, was presented during a workshop in Astana. More than 20 participants, including government officials, representatives of non-governmental and international organizations, as well as business community took part in the workshop.

The launch of the register and the workshop are elements of the project carried out in co-operation with the analytical environmental agency Greenwomen and the non-governmental organization "European Eco Forum." The project aims to raise awareness about the Protocol on Pollutant Release and Transfer Registers (PRTR) to the Aarhus Convention and about further steps Kazakhstan needs to take to ratify the Protocol.

The Protocol calls for the establishment of Registers to enable the public to access information about pollutant releases. It requires companies to report annually to the government on pollutant releases and transfers.

"The pilot Pollutant Release and Transfer Register will enable the public to access accurate information on pollution levels. By launching the pilot register, we seek to contribute to and support Kazakhstan’s efforts to ratify the protocol," said Terje Helland, Economic and Environmental Officer of the OSCE Centre in Astana.

Anar Bulzhanova, the Head of the Department on Intergovernmental Co-operation and Ecological Conventions at the Environmental Protection Ministry added: "Accession to the Protocol will stimulate a reduction of pollution levels and promote sustainable development through cost-effective instruments."

The register and the workshop form part of the OSCE Centre in Astana’s work to promote the PRTR Protocol, which is an important international legal instrument ensuring public access to information on environmental issues.