2002 OSCE Economic Forum focuses on water and security

PRAGUE, 28 May 2002 - More than 500 decision-makers from the 55 OSCE participating States and representatives of international organizations gathered in Prague on Tuesday for the Tenth OSCE Economic Forum.

The four-day meeting, which takes place every year in the Czech capital, focuses this year on "Co-operation for the sustainable use and protection of the quality of water in the context of the OSCE", demonstrating that economic and environmental activities are crucial elements of the OSCE's comprehensive approach to security.

"Water is a growing concern for the environment, economic development and security", Marcin Swiecicki, Co-ordinator of OSCE Economic and Environmental Activities, said in his opening address. "By 2032 more than half of the world could be afflicted by water shortages and in some areas as much as 95 per cent of the population could suffer from lack of water".

Rui Lopes Aleixo, Chairperson of the Forum and Deputy Co-ordinator of the Portuguese OSCE Chairmanship, added: "Water also serves as an instrument for co-operation, sharing of good practices and exchange of valuable information. All of these elements fit perfectly with the OSCE spirit".

Other speakers at the opening ceremony included Pavel Telicka, Czech First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, and OSCE Secretary General Jan Kubis.

From 29 to 31 May, working groups will discuss issues such as the socio-economic and security implications of sustainable use of water, the potential role of the OSCE in the Aral Sea Basin and the water situation in the Kura Araks Basin in the Caucasus and the Sava River in south-eastern Europe. Reflecting the OSCE's commitment to the international fight against terrorism, the Forum will also include a session on issues related to "Suppressing the Financing of Terrorism".

The Economic Forum is organized by the Portuguese OSCE Chairmanship with the support of the Office of the Co-ordinator of OSCE Economic and Environmental Activities. It offers a framework for dialogue between senior officials from the OSCE, international, regional and sub-regional organizations (such as the Commonwealth of Independent States, Council of Europe, European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, UNEP, UNDP, UNESCO, UNECE, and the World Bank), NGOs, the business community and academics.

A press conference will be held on Friday, 31 May, at 13:15 in the Czernin Palace.