Expanded environmental co-operation in South Caucasus on agenda of OSCE-supported meeting in Tbilisi

TBILISI, 4 March 2009 - Government officials, environmental experts and civil society representatives from Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia as well as representatives from the OSCE and other international organizations began a meeting today to discuss ways to expand co-operation in the field of environment and security in the South Caucasus region. 

The meeting, part of the Environment and Security (ENVSEC) Initiative, also will provide participants with an overview of Initiative work to promote cross-border co-operation in the South Caucasus region.

"Environmental issues do not recognize national borders, therefore co-operation with neighbouring states is absolutely crucial," said Goran Svilanovic, the Co-ordinator of OSCE Economic and Environmental Activities. "ENVSEC partners provide opportunities for the countries in the region to build co-operation on shared environmental concerns."

The ENVSEC Initiative is a joint partnership between the OSCE, the United Nations Development Programme, the United Nations Environment Programme, the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe and the Regional Environmental Centre for South-Eastern Europe. NATO's Security through Science Programme is an associated partner.

The two-day meeting marks the fifth year of ENVSEC's work in the region, which includes projects to promote sharing agreements for the water from Kura-Araks/Aras River basin, which provides the bulk of the region's fresh water for human consumption.

"Shared natural resources such as water are increasingly under threat due to the region's antiquated infrastructure, rapid economic transition and climate change," Svilanovic said. "ENVSEC promotes initiatives such as water pollution monitoring and inter-state agreements on water usage."

The Environment and Security Initiative coordinates closely with national governments to assess and address environmental threats to security. The Initiative strives to promote better regional relations through environmental co-operation in co-operation with national authorities and environmental experts. It carries out work in South-Eastern Europe, Eastern Europe, Central Asia and South Caucasus.

More information on the Environment and Security Initiative can be found at www.envsec.org