Inclusive and accountable governance helps make states secure, say OSCE forum participants in Prague

PRAGUE, 12 September 2012 - The concluding meeting of the 20th OSCE Economic and Environmental Forum, which is focusing on promoting security and stability through good governance, combating corruption, money laundering and terrorism financing, started in Prague today.

The three-day Forum brings together more than 250 participants representing national and international bodies, non-governmental organizations, academia and the business community.

“When governance is transparent, inclusive and accountable, economies are more efficient, democracy is stronger and ultimately states are more secure,” said Brian Hayes, Minister of State at the Department of Finance of Ireland, representing the OSCE Chairmanship.

“Building up political will is both a key purpose of the Forum and an area where the OSCE can add value on good governance issues,” he added, emphasizing that the private sector, free media and civil society organizations also play a critical role in promoting good governance.

Tomáš Dub, Deputy Foreign Minister of Czech Republic, in his welcoming remarks said: ”Corruption undermines rule-of-law, trust in state institutions and hampers economic development. This is something that no government can afford to overlook today.” He stressed that one of the biggest challenges in all dimensions of the OSCE work remains the actual implementation of the OSCE commitments already undertaken.

Forum participants will discuss the challenges OSCE participating States are facing in promoting good governance, and ways to address them both domestically and at the international level. They will review the implementation of existing OSCE commitments in the field of anti-corruption and discuss how the OSCE can support participating States.

Today’s meeting was preceded by two preparatory conferences which took place in Vienna in February and in Dublin in April this year.

Goran Svilanovic, the Co-ordinator of OSCE Economic and Environmental Activities, said: “This year’s forum process has already generated relevant recommendations for the OSCE in the field of good governance. Here in Prague we should consolidate these results and pave the ground for a successful Ministerial Council in Dublin at the end of the year.”

He highlighted the OSCE’s current efforts to support implementation of international standards, including the UN Convention against Corruption, and mentioned strengthening public sector integrity as an area where the OSCE could further contribute.