OSCE Chairperson-in-Office calls for greater partnership to ensure sustainable management of natural resources

VIENNA, 5 June 2015 –  On World Environment Day, the OSCE Chairman-in-Office, Serbian Foreign Minister Ivica Dačić stresses the need for co-operation to protect environment at all levels.

The theme of this year’s United Nations Environment Programme World Environment Day, “Seven Billion Dreams. One Planet. Consume with Care”, highlights consumption patterns of water, food, energy and all natural resources and calls for ensuring a decent quality of life for all people without increasing environmental degradation, and without compromising the resource needs of future generations.

“Environmental degradation has the potential to contribute to conflicts,” said Dačić. “Poor governance, mismanagement and depletion of natural resources can undermine prosperity and sustainable development. Addressing these challenges is one of the many ways the OSCE works to enhance security and to improve living conditions for people across the OSCE region.”

OSCE Secretary General Lamberto Zannier underscored the importance of environmental co-operation in the OSCE’s comprehensive approach to security: “This year’s World Environmental Day motto reminds us that we need to share the limited resources of our planet responsibly if we want to ensure peace and prosperity for all.”

Acknowledging the importance of environmental issues, the Serbian Chairmanship has made water governance one of its priorities.

“Safeguarding our environment for future generations also requires investing in sustainable energy,” said Dačić. “Sustainable energy solutions are essential to effectively addressing the challenges of global climate change as well as security concerns that come along.”

Dačić commended the Joint Declaration for co-operation signed by the Aarhus Centres in Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro and Serbia during the 2015 Aarhus Centres Annual meeting on 3 June as a good example of trans-boundary co-operation to address common environmental challenges. “This step is very much welcomed by the Serbian 2015 OSCE Chairmanship,” he said.