Among the critical problems affecting the people and future sustainable growth are drying up of the Aral Sea and flooding of the Caspian Sea, shortage of safe drinking water, unsustainable agricultural practices, unsustainable exploitation of natural resources, inefficient use of energy, nuclear pollution, pollution from mining and other natural resources extraction industries, and human encroachment on ecological systems. According to the Kazakstan National Human Development Report 1996, combined losses of natural potential from desertification alone could already be comparable to the country’s total GNP.

I. Government will establish its policies and priorities and improve its capacities in co-ordination to deal with these complex problems. Over the next 3 years, Government expects UNDP to be among the main partners in the preparation and implementation of the national Agenda 21.

• That is why starting from 1994 two projects were prepared and fulfilled with the financial support of UNDP and Government in order to implement first steps for the creation of the National Agenda 21. Within the framework of the of the first aid "National Action Plan for Sustainable Development in the RK" (National Agenda 21; KAZ/95/017) UNDP assisted to the Govt to get acquainted with the China Republic experience for the creation of the national agenda 21 and also the experiences of the neighbour republic Kyrgyzstan were its own National environmental Action Plan was prepared with the help of World Bank Consultants. Having defined the directions and the strategy at the first stage the Government started the next stage with the work on the programme KAZ/97/009 Rolling Framework Environmental Programme for Sustainable Development of the Republic of Kazakhstan. The activities upon the programme were practically finished and followed with the main result as the creation of the basis for the utilisation of the natural resources. As a result the activities for a short period of time the National Environmental Action Plan (NEAP) has been developed within the active co-operation of UNDP and other donor organisations. The programme assisted in defining the environmental priority actions for the country and finalised by the development of NEAP with the participation of local experts, scientists, representatives of Govt and NGO and also international experts. The logical continuation of the Rolling framework environmental programme was the creation of the National Environmental Centre of Sustainable Development of RK (NEC SD), which is one of the main structure of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment Protection of RK (MNREP). NEC SD consists of several committees whose activities directed on monitoring, impact assessment and implementation of the projects of priorities from NEAP. The network of training and workshops for the preparation of staff were organised within the frame of the above mentioned programmes on the local, regional and international levels. Assessment and elaboration of the recommendations were provided quaterly during the work of the Steering Committee Council which consists from MNREP, UNDP and other donor organisations. The priority actions from NEAP documents were included into the work plan of the MNREP for 1998-2000 as the main part of the governmental strategy of development of Kazakhstan 2030. From 1998 UNDP started the third step - the support of MNREP for the planning and implementation of the priority actions of NEAP and the sectional strategy via the improvement of the ecological management, strengthen the effectiveness of the co-ordination and the combination of the efforts of the ministries, agencies and other governmental powers, social, non-governmental and private structures and international organisations. Besides the programme also included the development of the capacities and strengthen the institutional structures and also the activities on the fulfilment of international conventions, standards and agreements. Selective and effective use of the international experience and the used wide social participatory approach in the creation of the programmes, projects, including the active involvement of local people, NGOs, private sector, ministries and other organisations, help this process to be sustainable. Now, when the three priority zones of NEAP project annexes are created and which caused interest from the World Bank and other donors, we face the necessity to review the further strategy of the work and to concentrate on the attraction of the financial resources and the improvement of the co-ordination of projects already financed by GEF and UNDP. UNDP limited the support of the NEC SD only in the frame of the general administrative work and support of the one Committee of International Conventions providing the support on the strengthen the role of the Project Management Committees with the wide attraction of donors and ministries.

II. Government would like UNDP to play a catalytic role to assist and facilitate co-ordination of other donors’ activities and to attract more funds from GEF, Montreal Protocol, Capacity 21, and other donors.

• We managed to meet the expectations. During the report period we managed to increase GEF cost-sharing funding for 2.000.000 US dollars on six NEX projects (see table)

and the Montreal Protocol. UNDP country office, jointly with other Caspian country offices assisted in co-ordination of the Caspian Environment Programme. In spite of the Committee for International Conventions within the structure of the National Ecology Centre, the implementation of the GEF projects listed in the table is somewhat complicated. Though NEC was supposed to only co-ordinate, prepare and monitor the projects, the participation of NEC was represented on all the project stages. The co-ordination of activities was also organised differently from the initial plan. Finally we can presume that all the actions undertaken by National Environment Centre were reasonably approached. Finally we had different partners and implementing agencies for many projects for to use to advantage the significant flexibility in rapidly changing political, social and economic situation.

• Within the projects on biodiversity UNDP is financing the set of projects on different stages of implementation. One of them is the project KAZ/96/G31 "Assistance to the Government of Kazakhstan in the Development of a Strategy to Implement the Convention on Biological Diversity" which is on its final step of implementation. The most financial support was provided by GEF and also by the Govt RK and UNDP. UNDP has provided a support to the Govt of RK in the fulfilment of the international obligations, concerning the participation in the convention of the biodiversity. Within the framework of the project the inter-sectional co-ordination body was established, biodiversity assessment on the basis of existing knowledge was done, the options for biodiversity management and benefits sharing in the country through the process of analysis and consultations were identified. The documents of the National Report on Conservation and Sustainable Use of Biological Diversity of RK, National Strategy and Action Plan on Conservation and Sustainable Use of Biological Diversity. The main task of the project is the practical realisation of the priority projects and at this stage the projects are seeking for additional external financial support for the realisation of the practical actions. During the fulfilment of the project the large experience was gained on the revealing the scientific potential of Kazakh scientists in the biodiversity sphere, on the attraction of the various stakeholders and the development of the projects with participatory approach. On the basis of the gained lessons the following recommendations were the outputs: the further development of the legislative basis with accordance to the rules of the Convention of Biodiversity, the attraction of donor organisations to finance the priority projects of the Action Plan on Conservation and Sustainable Use of Biodiversity and prevention of the threat . The comments from the international experts were obtained. The GEF/UNDP projects, namely KAZ/98/G42/1/1G/99 "In-situ preservation of mountain Agrobiodiversity in Kazakhstan (Block A)"and KAZ/98/G43/A1G/99 "Integrated Conservation of Priority Globally Significant Migratory Bird Wetland habitat". (Block B), are financed due to the active work of the UNDP staff and are currently under the different stages of implementation block A and B. The project on the integrated conservation of the wetlands is on its final stage and the result of the project will be the elaborated demonstration project proposal on Ural Delta and the territories of Alakol-Sasykol lakes and the transition to the following stage of implementation of the full-scale project. At present the works to collect the details of information on the mentioned two wetlands sites for the full-scale project on the integrated conservation of the priority wetlands in Kazakhstan seeking the financial support from GEF. These wetlands were chosen from 14 wetlands of Kazakhstan during the workshop on the logical framework of the project with the participation of the government structures and other key organizations and stakeholders and international experts. Both GEF projects on biodiversity are included as a priority actions and are listed in the Strategy and Action Plan on Biodiversity of RK. At the present stage Kazakhstan has received the additional financial assistance from the Canadian International Development Agency with the technical participation of the Environmental Canadian Consulting in the project of the conservation of mountain Kazakhstan’s agrobiodiversity.

• On the initial stage of the GEF/SGP implementation the program succeeded in engaging on voluntary basis the national experts of Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources of the Republic of Kazakhstan, National Environmental Centre for Sustainable Development of the Republic of Kazakhstan as well as nation-wide environmental NGO’s. The first SGP National Strategy (1997) was widely discussed; more than 200 people participated in this discussion. Emphasis was made on discussing the criteria "global environmental benefits". The program initiates and supports local initiative in three regions of Kazakhstan - Aral Sea, Caspian Sea and Western Tijan-Shan mountains. These regions were selected due to the presence of globally important endangered ecosystems, complex social problems, especially in rural areas as well as presence of UNDP, World Bank and other GEF programs there. During one and a half years of proactive work in these regions the 370 representatives of CBOs, NGOs, academic and scientific institutes and governmental agencies were acquainted with the GEF activity; with the UN International Environmental Conventions, ratified by Kazakhstan; with the GEF/SGP Country Programme Strategy (1997); with the GEF/SGP thematic priorities; with the GEF/SGP Global and National Criteria; 120 representatives from regional NGOs/CBOs were trained how to develop and submit project proposals to the GEF/SGP; 78 representatives of NGOs/CBOs, including regional organizations, applied project proposals for the GEF/SGP financial support; 9 NGOs/CBOs were awarded by 7 planning grants for pre-project activities; 9 NGOs/CBOs were awarded 7 grants up to 25,000.00 USD per year. Four projects have started a long-term joint projects with prospect on self-reliance. The GEF/SGP managed to develop an integrated projects portfolio that contains seven strategically elaborated projects, that linked geographically and thematically. The GEF/SGP managed to receive additional funding from stakeholders (USD 216,000) as well as to establish links with other GEF projects on biodiversity issue, UNSO and Secretariat of the Convention to Combat Desertification. Program pays a lot of attention to the criteria of "project sustainability". The program believes that project sustainability depends on local interest and public control for the project implementation. Having this goal in mind the program has encouraged and initiated implementation of long-term joint NGO/CBOs projects, which after the termination of the GEF/SGP financial support, pledge to use individual mechanisms for self-financing and attracting additional sponsorship.
  
• The UNDP assistance in strengthening of the synergy of the conventions, protocols and agreements and UN inter-agency co-operation to improve co-ordination of the actions and economy of funding. The good example for above is the application of Small Grants procedures in identification, selection, monitoring and funding of the projects from UNSO fund and Secretariat of the Convention to Combat Desertification.
  
• Kazakhstan has ratified the Vienna Convention and the Montreal Protocol in 1998. The country is considered to the Protocol as operating under Article 2 of the Protocol that obliges it to phase out the consumption and production of most ozone-depleting substances already by the end of 1995. Due to this Kazakhstan is eligible for GEF funding under the focal area of Protection of the Ozone Layer. The objectives of the Country Programme Formulation and Technical Assistance/ Investment Project Preparation for Kazakhstan for Implementation of the Montreal Protocol are: to ensure the country’s ability to meet data requirements of the Montreal Protocol; to prepare Country Programme to assist countries to carry out their transition to non-ODS technology through the support for priority sub-projects, identified in the Country Programme undertaken by UNEP; identification of sectoral technical assistance needs to enable the ODS phaseout process to commence and be sustained; and identification and development of detailed sectoral ODS phaseout investment project proposals in the five sectors for subsequent funding and implementation by the appropriate GEF implementing agency.
  
• Kazakhstan has ratified the CCD in 1997. The Ministry of Natural Resources and Ecological Protection has been designated as national coordinating mechanism to oversee the follow-up to the CCD at the national level. The NAP to Combat Desertification in RK has been developed by the Ministry with the support of UNEP in 1997. The RK has received US$ 90,000 to implementation of the NAP from the UNDP Trust Fund to Combat Desertification and Drought, managed by UNSO. Currently UNDP is giving technical assistance to the preparation of revised version of the National Action Plan on desertification. The reason for assistance is to strengthen participation of all stakeholders in combat desertification process; to raise awareness on the UN Convention to Combat Desertification at grassroots level and specially emphasising women involvement; to assist the Government of Kazakhstan to undertake activities for the establishment of the NAP process and put in place the necessary arrangements for its implementation. The aim is to support the establishment of the NAP consultative process leading (i) to the identification of priority programmes; (ii) institutional strengthening of the Government national focal point unit for supporting the NAP process; and (iii) capacity building for NGOs and CBOs at national level so that they can participate effectively in the NAP process.
  
• The project to assist the Water Users’ Associations will be implemented in Aral Sea region under the support of the «Capacity 21» Trust Fund. At the same time UNDP established a good infrastructure in the region through its National Aral Programme which will allow to provide a technical assistance, through UN Volunteers and Project Support Centres, achieve wide participation of the local community at all levels. Besides, USAID is providing assistance to the Central Government in preparation of the law to regulate the activity of Association of Water Users in Kazakhstan. This creates a good basis for the sustainable project and the possibility of replication in case of successful implementation.
  
• Kazakhstan joined UN Convention on Climate Change in 1995 and Kioto Protocol in 1999. UNDP is supporting two projects in the energy sector: «Removing Barriers to Wind Power Production in Kazakhstan» and «Capacity Building to Reduce Key Barriers to Energy Efficiency in Heat and Hot Water Supply». The main objective of the full scale Wind Power Project is the elimination of the barriers in commercial development of the wind power production in Kazakhstan. Within the framework of the Block B project it is supposed to undertake the assessment of wind potential in Kazakhstan, elaborate the feasibility study for the demonstration project for the construction of wind power farm with the capacity of 40 MW and prepare a full scale Project Proposal to GEF to finance the construction of the wind farm. Currently the main part of the work on Project Block B has been implemented and the Full Scale Project Proposal is under the preparation. The consultations are being conducted with the international organisations and donors to attract investments. The interest in the investments was expressed by WB, Japanese, German and Danish organisations. During the project implementation the investments of tens of millions US dollars will be introduced into the project. It is also possible to receive several millions US dollars funding from GEF.
  
• The main objective of the full-scale project on Heat Supply is the removal of existing barriers to increase energy efficiency of heat supply in Kazakhstan, decrease of the fuel consumption for heat and hot water supply needs and decrease in GHG emissions caused by the combustion of fuel. It is proposed to define the existing barriers within the framework of PDF B in increase of Energy Efficiency for energy suppliers as well as for energy consumers, to assess the existing potential and priority measures to promote energy efficiency and decrease of GHG emissions and implementation of FS for a chosen project in order to elaborate a plan to attract investments. The results of the pilot project in Almaty will be disseminated in Kazakhstan to actively invite donors to support the problem of improvement of heat supply to decrease GHG emissions. The next stage of the project on heat and hot water supply is being prepared by UNDP.
  
• The displayed capacity by UNDP to efficiently co-ordinate the activities with other donors and agencies allowed to attract the Governmental cost-sharing funds to finance preparation of NAP for Environmental Protection and Strategic Development Plan. The Caspian Development Programme, which includes assistance in needs prioritisation and fund raising, received cost-shared funding from Aryrau Akimat and the Institute of Nuclear Physics.
  
• Internal human resources: The personnel of the thematic group Environmental Management and Sustainable Development consists of Group Leader (Thematic Co-ordinator), one Programme Officer, one Senior Assistant, one Assistant and one acting Energy Consultant. The employment of a new Programme Officer coincided with two new programmes starting: Montreal Protocol and Capacity 21 and return of the control over the Aral Programme. The above mentioned programmes jointly with the UNSO programme are passed to the new Programme Officer. The Energy Consultant is providing assistance to two GEF projects. Two assistants have considerable work loads. Beyond the five programmes each assistant is supporting, they provide technical routine assistance to the Group Leader, the Programme Officer and the Energy Consultant. Very often assistants are translating and interpreting. Small Grants Programme is working within UNDP structure according to GEF requirements and the Programme is associated with the environmental group. The Programme is represented by the National Co-ordinator and an Assistant.
  
• The number of men and women is balanced in the Project staff and among consultants, women are sometimes prevailing. Women constitute the majority in UNDP office itself and in environmental team successfully complying with the obligations.
  
• Geographic focus:
  Geographic priorities of the team work are coinciding with some exceptions with the basic priorities of the country office UNDP - Aral Sea, Caspian Sea and Semipalatinsk. Special projects focused on Biodiversity issues and the Energy Sector are implemented in Tien-Shan region and the new capital.
  

• Prospective plans:

UNDP support will be concentrated on the following areas:

(i) Agenda 21, would assist Government in developing policies and programme to mainstream environment concerns in all economic and development activities;

(ii) Compliance with International Conventions, through assistance in the preparation of strategies, plans and reports and in creating enabling environment and capacities to implement the Conventions on Biological Diversity, Combating Desertification and Climate Change; and

(iii) Area-based environmental management programmes, to support actions for addressing the environmental problems in the most affected areas, and immediate rehabilitation measures at the local level. In particular, Government seeks UNDP’s continued support and leadership for co-operation and direct assistance in the Aral Sea basin programme, as well as assistance from the regional project. Government also has strong interest in receiving assistance in Semipalatinsk and the Caspian Sea area.

Links

• http://www.unep.org - - United Nations Environment Programme
• http://www.earthprint.com - United Nations Environment Programme bookstore