A two-year broad-based multi-task environmental Project¹ performed for the Ministry of Ecology and Bioresources² of the Republic of Kazakhstan (MEBR). The approximately 1.5 million-dollar contract was financed from the World Bank loan to the Government of Kazakhstan. The project involved the following components:

1.  Analysis and Recommendations on Strengthening and Enhancing the MEBR’s Organizational Structure and Operational Capability;

2. Development of a Set of Environmental Laws and Regulations to include:

Environment Protection Law (currently in effect);

b) Environmental Expertise Law (currently in effect);

c) Law on Payments for Natural Resources Use (incorporated into the Republic’s Tax Code);

d) Law on Specially Protected Territories (currently in effect)

e) Law on Municipal and Industrial Waste (was submitted to the Government for review and comment);

f) Regulations on Considering Environmental Issues During the Process of Privatization;

3. Analysis and Recommendations on the Republic’s Environmental Fund Operation

4. Analysis and Recommendations on Improving Practice and Procedures for Implementing Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and Environmental Audit

5. Analysis of Existing Environmental Monitoring System and Practice. Recommendations for Improvement, and Development of a Uniform Environmental Monitoring System.

All components of this project included appropriate training and working seminars for the MEBR staff and representatives from all interested agencies, ministries, and organizations.