Subject: [CivilSoc] ISAR's 2nd Caspian Seminar
From: Michelle Kinman (michelle@isar.org)
Date: Thu Sep 21 2000 - 04:59:27 EDT
Press Release
ISAR Seminar Brings Together Environmental NGOs of the Caspian Region
Representatives of nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) from the Caspian Basin (Azerbaijan, Georgia, Iran, Kazakhstan, Russia and Turkmenistan) met in Almaty, Kazakhstan September 10-12 to participate in the seminar, “Developing Principles for Interaction between NGOs and Transnational Corporations (TNCs) in the Caspian Region.” The seminar was jointly organized by ISAR (Initiative for Social Action and Renewal in Eurasia) and Green Salvation, an environmental NGO based in Almaty.
Designed as a response to NGO concerns about the increasing influence of TNCs throughout the Caspian Basin, the seminar provided NGOs with a forum to discuss past experiences of interaction with TNCs. The seminar participants also examined the informational and legal aspects of interaction with TNCs and discussed joint strategies for developing solidarity in action. During the seminar, representatives from organizations in the Russian Far East, Kyrgyzstan, and the US shared their experiences and knowledge about effective collaboration among NGOs in other regions where the activities of TNCs have a significant influence on the environment. As a result of these discussions, a memorandum on NGO solidarity in interaction with TNCs was developed and will be distributed widely in the near future.
On the final day of the seminar, the NGO participants and representatives from TNCs extracting natural resources in the Caspian region (BP Amoco, Kumtor, OKIOK, Shell, Tengizchevroil, Texaco) participated in a roundtable session. During the course of the dialogue, the NGOs expressed their common concerns about the increasing oil and gas extraction in the entire Caspian region. They also discussed various issues related to interaction with TNCs, particularly the question of access to information. All of the TNC representatives participating in the forum stressed the readiness of their companies to support independent environmental monitoring.
The seminar was the second in a series organized through ISAR’s Caspian program. The first seminar, held in Baku, Azerbaijan this March, resulted in the creation of a public environmental monitoring network. The next seminar will address the role of NGOs in creating alternative paths of development for the Caspian region and will be held in Astrakhan, Russia in January 2001.
ISAR’s Caspian Program is funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), Open Society Institute, Trust for Mutual Understanding and Academy for Educational Development.
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For more information, please contact Kate Watters
ISAR-DC
Tel: 202-387-3034
E-mail: <kwatters@isar.org>
Caspinfo Service - <www.ecoline.ru/caspinfo>
Additional information on ISAR’s work in the Caspian region is available in English at <www.isar.org> and in Russian at <www.isarmos/casp>.
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