OSCE meeting in Vienna to discuss implementation of commitments, future priorities in economic and environmental dimension

Assessment of the implementation of economic and environmental commitments by the OSCE participating States and identification of priorities for future work is the focus of the Economic and Environmental Dimension Implementation Meeting, which started at the Hofburg in Vienna on 17 October 2011.

The three-day meeting provides a platform for dialogue and enhanced co-ordination between OSCE participating States, Partners for Co-operation, international and non-governmental organizations, as well as the OSCE Secretariat, field operations and institutions. Some 150 senior government officials and experts will review the implementation of OSCE decisions and commitments in such areas as strengthening good governance; enhancing energy security; promoting sustainable transport; environment and security. The contribution of the economic and environmental dimension to preventing conflicts and building confidence will also be discussed. The participants will identify main challenges in these fields and offer recommendations for the future work of the OSCE and its executive structures to effectively address them.

Ambassador Renatas Norkus of Lithuania, the Chairperson of the OSCE Permanent Council, in his opening address underlined that the meeting “organised for the first time in the OSCE history” is meant to “fill the gap in the review mechanism, improve coordination of work in the economic and environmental dimension, and increase its visibility”. He said that the event would contribute to the preparation of the economic and environmental component of the forthcoming Vilnius OSCE Ministerial Council at the end of 2011. “There we will have the opportunity to adopt decisions to consolidate the progress achieved this year and ensure the continuity of our efforts,” Norkus stressed.

The OSCE Secretary General Lamberto Zannier emphasized that work in the economic and environmental dimension is an integral part of comprehensive, co-operative, equal and indivisible security concept, as reaffirmed by Heads of State and Government in Astana last year. “For the OSCE, addressing environmental and economic security issues means identifying mutually beneficial solutions, managing interdependency between participating States and with non-state actors, and adopting an all-encompassing and balanced approach," he said.

The event complements the OSCE Economic and Environmental Forum process, as well as the discussions leading to the Astana Summit 2010 and informal debates within the framework of the “V to V Dialogue” this year.