Poland in the OSCE

“The Russian aggression will bring economic and environmental harm for generations to come. When thinking about a sustainable economic and environmental recovery, we must also think about a recovery from the atrocious war waged against Ukraine. This is an issue that concerns all of us,” said OSCE Chairman-in-Office and Poland’s Minister for Foreign Affairs Zbigniew Rau. “Our efforts must particularly be focused on supporting the Ukrainians who are defending their future as an independent nation. By doing so they are also defending our fundamental European values,” he added.

“We would now certainly prefer to debate only the most appropriate policies for reconstructing our economies, so badly hit by the COVID-19 epidemic, and celebrate the landmark anniversary of the EEF,” said Jan Lipavský, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic, speaking at the opening of the Forum. “Yet the Russian war against Ukraine deeply affects also our efforts in the economic and environmental dimension of the OSCE. It has devastating consequences for Ukraine and it has severe effects on all of us. Indiscriminate attacks by Russia’s forces on civilian infrastructure inflict tragic human losses. They also cause huge environmental damage and hamper economic recovery in Ukraine and beyond.”

OSCE Secretary General Helga Maria Schmid affirmed that the war against Ukraine has also put energy security back to the forefront of the international agenda: “The war has first and foremost devastating consequences for the Ukrainian people, but is also felt far beyond Ukraine. It has adverse effects on energy and food security, as well as on the environment. The OSCE can help to address this.”

The meeting, which brought together some 250 participants from governments, civil society, the business community and other international organizations, marked two important milestones for the OSCE: the 30th anniversary of the Economic and Environmental Forum and the 25th anniversary of the establishment of the Co-ordinator of OSCE Economic and Environmental Activities.

Discussions at the Forum took stock of the Organization’s decades-long work in addressing economic and environmental threats to security, the role of Forum in advancing dialogue and co-operation in the second dimension, green growth and innovation for sustainable recovery. Looking to the future of the Economic and Environmental Dimension, participants emphasized the need to prioritize core issues with security implications such as climate change, environmental degradation and energy security.

Photo: Sebastian Indra/Polish MFA