The impact of climate change on human security in focus at Ministerial Council side event

The 2023 Chairpersonship of North Macedonia hosted a side event on “Addressing the Impact of Climate Change on Human Security in the OSCE Area” during the 30th Ministerial Council taking place in Skopje.

Addressing the impact of climate change has been a key priority of the Chairpersonship of North Macedonia, as demonstrated by the appointment of the first Special Representative on Climate Change, Naser Nuredini, by Chairman-in-Office Bujar Osmani. The side event was particularly valuable as a follow up to the comprehensive discussions held during all major second dimension events, as well as to discussions that took place during the High-Level Conference on Climate Change organized by the OSCE Secretary General in Vienna.

“All our countries are facing different challenges arising from extreme weather events, environmental degradation and overall rising temperatures. This demands a sound and comprehensive policy response. Ensuring the security and well-being of our citizens for generations to come must be our top priority. We must act now, not later, as we are running out of time,” said Osmani in his opening address. “I am confident of the OSCE’s value as a platform to foster exactly this exchange between officials from participating States aiming to find overarching and collaborative solutions to tackle common threats head-on,” he added. 

The event was attended by Special Representative of the OSCE Chairman-in-Office on Climate Change Naser Nuredini, OSCE Secretary General Helga Maria Schmid, Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Igli Hasani, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Norway Espen Barth Eide, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Tajikistan Sodiq Imomi and Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kyrgyzstan Aibek Moldogaziev.

At the end of the event, the “Little Green Book on Climate Change” was presented and handed out to participants and delegations.