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Information regarding the environmental requirements for major oil projects in Kazakhstan, specifically the Tengiz and Kashagan fields, has been deemed inaccessible domestically and has now reached a United Nations committee.

This development was announced by Vadim Ni, founder of the 'Save the Caspian' campaign. The UN Aarhus Convention Committee has accepted an application to review the accessibility of environmental clauses within the contracts for these significant oil projects.

Environmental Requirements Kept Secret

Vadim Ni explained that over a year ago, his organization formally requested these environmental provisions from Kazakhstan's Ministry of Energy. However, the ministry rejected the request, a decision subsequently upheld by the courts, effectively limiting public access to this information.

"These contracts contain information about the environmental requirements imposed on international oil and gas companies operating Caspian Sea resources. We exhausted all national avenues. When information is inaccessible within the country, one must turn to international mechanisms," Ni stated.

The Aarhus Convention and International Scrutiny

Kazakhstan has been a signatory to the Aarhus Convention for over 25 years. This convention guarantees the public's right to access environmental information and seek legal recourse on environmental matters. It is on these grounds that the applicants have pursued the issue internationally.

While the committee's acceptance of the application does not guarantee a favorable outcome, it signifies a crucial step. The committee will examine the arguments from all parties and the government's position, potentially issuing recommendations. Nevertheless, the initiation of this international procedure highlights the growing concern over the secrecy surrounding the environmental terms of large-scale oil projects.

Significance for the Atyrau Region

The issue of transparency in the environmental commitments of oil companies is particularly critical for the Atyrau region. Residents frequently report concerns about air quality, odors, and harmful emissions. However, the specific obligations of international companies to adhere to environmental standards remain largely undisclosed to the public.

"We have the right to know what is written in these documents," concluded Vadim Ni.

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