30 years after Bonn: We must continue to invest in dialogue, conflict prevention and fighting transnational threats

VIENNA, 5 July 2021 – Thirty years on from the 1990 Bonn Document, the OSCE hosted a conference reviewing how to continue contributing to European peace, security and prosperity through a market-based economy and environmental protection.

Today’s high-level conference gathered over 150 representatives from OSCE participating States, Partners for Co-operation, experts and academics to re-examine how participating States are continuing to fulfil their commitments to the Bonn Document. Their discussions focused on digital transformation, opportunities for women’s economic empowerment and the implications of climate change for the economy and security, amongst other topics.

“Looking back at the past 30 years, there are valuable lessons to be learned,” said OSCE Secretary General Helga Maria Schmid. “First, investing in dialogue and awareness-raising produces concrete results so that people see their lives change for the better. Second, we should not underestimate how economic and environmental considerations contribute to conflict prevention. Third, using a cross-dimensional perspective helps us effectively address transnational threats like corruption and organized crime, or global challenges such as climate change,” said Schmid.

The digital transformation is rapidly changing the way we live and work and COVID-19 has accelerated that process. “Only a comprehensive and rules-based approach will allow new technological innovations to make our economies and societies more resilient and inclusive,” said Schmid.

Janine Alm Ericson, Swedish State Secretary to the Minister for International Development Cooperation, said ”by acting now and working together towards more sustainable, inclusive and gender-equal development, we have a chance to curb economic and environmental security risks and build more sustainable, peaceful and democratic societies.”

Miguel Berger, State Secretary of Germany’s Foreign Office, said: “The challenges we face in the field of climate change and environmental degradation are complex and co-operating is essentially the only way to tackle them successfully. Indeed, that the OSCE is not an economic organization. However, with its comprehensive concept of security, it offers an excellent platform for our debates. The OSCE can make important contributions to economics and environmental co-operation.”

Today’s discussions highlighted how the role of the OSCE’s Economic and Environmental Dimension has changed during the past 30 years, contributing more than ever to conflict prevention, stability and security through its confidence building measures and its potential role in assisting participating States to find solutions to transnational challenges.

“Looking to the future, the OSCE will help States with connectivity, digitalization, good governance, and equal opportunities for women, climate change and the environment,” Schmid concluded.