The U.S. Government (USG) today announced that its assistance to Kazakhstan will focus on combating transnational threats such as trafficking in persons, narcotics, terrorists, and WMD materiel.
The U.S. assistance to the region also included improving the functioning of the judiciary, promoting an increased public role for civil society and mass media, maintaining Kazakhstan’s open investment and trade environment, and helping the government provide effective social services.
According to the U.S. State Department, Kazakhstan shares the cost of projects in the economic growth area, providing a two for one match of U.S. funding.
AREA DESCRIPTIONS:
Peace and Security (P&S)
Support the anti-terrorism rapid reaction force, including refurbishment of helicopters o Trained police, judges and prosecutors on anti-trafficking legislation and how to identify trafficking-in-persons o Procured portable shelters, contraband detection kits, and X-ray equipment for border guards to help fight regional terror threats, including WMD material transfer
Developed new selection and education guidelines for Canine Training Center, which contributed to significant increases in narcotics seizures
Governing Justly and Democratically (GJD)
Trained judges on commercial law topics such as competition, intellectual property, and contracts in partnership with the Supreme Court and Institute of Justice
Held open trainings for political parties on platform development, grass roots organizing, and effective use of new technology
Assisted independent media, including through production grants for Kazakhstani TV stations to produce public policy segments
Investing in People (IIP)
Supported direct outreach and health education activities for populations at high risk of HIV/AIDS and TB infection
Advised on improving effective government management of HIV/AIDS and drug resistant TB in clinics throughout the country
Economic Growth (EG)
Fostered public private partnerships as a means for communities to improve educational and other infrastructure o Provided business regulators with advice on simplifying procedures for starting a business.
Trained teachers across Kazakhstan on how to conduct classes on entrepreneurship. o Provided agricultural exchanges for farmers and university level professors and encouraged beneficiaries to share their experiences upon return to communities in Kazakhstan
RECENT SUCCESSES:
Contributed to Kazakhstan’s improved ranking at 59 out of 183 countries in the World Bank’s 2011 Ease of Doing Business annual report. o Ensured zero cases of polio in Kazakhstan during a regional outbreak in 2010 through coordinated immunization campaigns with the WHO and Ministry of Health.
U.S. trained NGOs successfully advocated to block restrictions being proposed in a new law on lobbying.
