Forum highlights OSCE role in bringing together regional actors, private sector to enhance maritime and inland waterways co-operation

PRAGUE, 19 May 2008 - The OSCE has a vital role in addressing the challenges arising from increasing maritime and inland waterways traffic, and the Organization is uniquely placed to support co-operation and foster the exchange of knowledge and experiences, heard participants at a forum which opened in Prague today.

The three-day 16th OSCE Economic and Environmental Forum brings together high-level representatives from governments of OSCE participating States, international organizations, civil society, academia and the private sector.

"Seas and other waterways are vital to our common security and prosperity, and they are essential for the health of the environment. Security and the environment are joined issues," said Astrid Thors, Finland's Minister of Migration and European Affairs, in the opening address.

The Minister made an appeal to step up national and international efforts to address the challenge of climate change. "I hope this Forum will to identify further aims and measures to mitigate the harmful consequences of this great environmental challenge," she said.

Forum participants will discuss aspects of maritime and inland waterways co-operation, particularly from a security and environmental perspective, and challenges faced by landlocked developing countries. The Forum aims to produce operational recommendations and concrete initiatives, and strengthen co-operation with partner organizations.

"This 16th Economic and Environmental Forum represents the OSCE at its strongest - as a network for innovative co-operation between multiple actors on complex security questions. Identifying and addressing challenges related to maritime and inland waterways co-operation requires just such a partnership of relevant stakeholders," said the OSCE Secretary General, Marc Perrin de Brichambaut.

Bernard Snoy, the Co-ordinator of OSCE Economic and Environmental Activities, said it was important to build on the OSCE's existing experience and partnerships, and to continue to promote bilateral and regional co-operation. "In Central Asia for example, the needs for an integrated approach to river basin co-operation and water management is high and the OSCE could play a constructive role," he said.

The Prague event follows the first part of the Forum, which took place on 28 and 29 January in Vienna. Preparatory conferences for the Forum were held in Helsinki in September 2007 and in Ashgabad in March.

Security and the environmental and economic aspects of maritime and inland waterways co-operation is one of the priorities of the 2008 Finnish OSCE Chairmanship.

An awards ceremony for the winners of the OSCE's "Waterways of Life" photo contest, sponsored by the Chairmanship, will be held on the first day. Minister Thors will present the first prize - a multimedia computer with a camera donated by Nokia - to Andrey Shapran of Russia. An exhibition of the winning images will also be held at the Forum.