Training on the World Bank Policy for the Involuntary Resettlement and Social Risks

10-11 November this year in Astana the World Bank experts on protective measures in the framework of preparation for the project for reconstruction of the road corridor “Center-South” held a training for the involuntary resettlement and social risks for the staff of the Committee for Roads, oblasts akimats and the oblast branches of JSC “NC “KazAvtoZhol” responsible for matters of land acquisition.

The main objective of the workshop was to explain the participants the differences between the requirements of the national legislation of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the World Bank's policy on the preparation and implementation of projects on the involuntary resettlement and social risks. The participants were shown presentation on the project cycle, the protection policy measures and policy framework of the environmental and social management of the World Bank. In addition, the participants were offered an overview of the involuntary resettlement in projects and presentation on the “Environmental impact assessment” as well as thematic consultations and exercises which will be useful in further work.

During summarizing of the results the organizers noted that for the successful implementation of projects it is necessary at the stage of preparation of the documents for protection measures to clearly separate the requirements of the legislation of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the World Bank's policies. The participants received answers to their questions regarding the involuntary resettlement policy and social security measures relating to the Bank's projects.

Reference: land acquisition for the public use within the framework of projects funded by the international financial institutions is carried out according to the rules of the funding institute.

Currently Kazakhstan is the largest country in Europe and Asia for the amount of attracted investments of the World Bank.               

During the cooperation with the Republic of Kazakhstan since 1992 the World Bank has invested more than 6.8 billion dollars in the country. These funds are aimed at the development of the road and social infrastructure, the modernization of the education and health systems, optimization of the customs and tax administration and the environment systems rehabilitation. One of the most important investment activities of the World Bank in Kazakhstan in the development of the road infrastructure is Transit Corridor “Western Europe Western China”.