The one-day event was jointly organized by the OSCE Centre in Astana, the Ministry of Environmental Protection, the UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific, UN Development Programme in Kazakhstan and the non-governmental organization NESDCA.

The workshop brought together more than 40 participants from governmental institutions, non-governmental organizations and the business community as well as international experts. The discussion focused on approaches and challenges to environmental mainstreaming in planning and decision-making for sustainable development and sustainable consumption and production in light of the First National Report on Integration of the Green Growth Tools, aimed at achieving environmentally and socially sustainable economic growth in Kazakhstan.

"It is critical to involve civil society and citizens in environmental decision-making and to deepen the co-operation between all stakeholders - government agencies, businesses and the public sector. These measures will not only improve efficiency and transparency but will also enhance the process of democratization and help to achieve economic and environmental security," said Ambassador Alexandre Keltchewsky, the Head of the OSCE Centre in Astana.

The event is part of Centre's activities to promote sustainable development and enhance environmental security.