Secretary General Schmid: Climate change is one of the most crucial issues of our time in the political, economic, social and environmental spheres. It can also emerge as a security issue when it interacts with other pressures such as unequal economic development, social inequality, and resource constraints.

Ambassador Akira Mizutani, Ambassador of Japan to Austria: As we witness various challenges, including the pandemic, it becomes crucial for OSCE participating States and the Asian Partners for Co-operation to further strengthen the partnership.

OSCE Secretary General Schmid: The post-COVID recovery should be synonymous with solidarity. Each of our countries will chart their individual strategies. But if we do not co-ordinate our responses, we will not defeat the virus, and we will not prevent similar crises in the future.

Progress has been made since the adoption of United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1325 on Women, Peace and Security more than 20 years ago, but more concrete actions are needed.

Special Representative Valiant Richey: A great example of how a country can mobilize when the issue of trafficking is elevated to a political priority.

OSCE Secretary General Schmid: We now have compelling evidence that climate change can influence or exacerbate factors that may lead to instability and tensions. As with any global challenge, tackling the potential consequences requires cross-sectoral and transborder dialogue and co-operation.

Gender equality must be central to all decision-making and resource allocation.

Sweden is convinced that multilateral co-operation is the best way to address our common challenges. Sweden has shown that we are ready to shoulder our responsibility for the multilateral system.

In a year that has made our common humanity so clear as the world struggles to overcome the Covid-19 pandemic, greater efforts must be taken to safeguard and promote the human rights of all migrants, the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) said on the occasion of International Migrants Day.

National strategies and actions to combat trafficking in human beings, particularly in the current environment, would benefit substantially from the inclusion of and support to civil society organizations working to prevent human trafficking and assist its victims.