Inauguration of OSCE booth at Astana Expo2017 puts importance of economic and environmental international security co-operation on centre stage

Vienna, 17 June 2017 – The OSCE officially joined the ranks of 22 other high-profile international organizations that are this year participating in Astana EXPO-2017 on the theme of “Future Energy” by holding an inaugural ceremony on 14 June 2017.  

High-level representatives of the Kazakh Government, the Austrian OSCE Chairmanship, OSCE officials and participants in the 2^nd Preparatory Meeting of the OSCE Economic and Environmental Forum (EEF) attended the opening of the OSCE booth at this international specialized exhibition on the question of energy consumption, which is having an increasing impact on our planet.

Speakers stressed the crucial link between good governance in the field of energy, the use of sustainable energy sources and security.

Kazakhstan’s Foreign Minister, Kairat Abdrakhmanov, said: “The OSCE booth at EXPO and the Second Preparatory Meeting of the EEF, with its theme ‘Greening the Economy and Building Partnerships for Security in the OSCE Region’, place a special focus on the interlinkages between economic and safety issues. The reduction of environmental risks, resource efficiency and alternative energy uses go hand in hand with good governance, the cultivation of strong business partnerships and economic co-operation among the OSCE participating States and Partners for Co-operation.”

Co-ordinator of OSCE Economic and Environmental Activities Vuk Žugić, who headed the OSCE delegation at the ceremony,  stressed that OSCE efforts in this field, which include promoting the transition towards a sustainable energy future, fostering economic and environmental good governance and furthering economic connectivity, share one common goal: to build new partnerships for sustainable development, security and stability.

“The OSCE was founded on the belief that inclusive dialogue is the foundation for meaningful co-operation and that this co-operation in turn is the foundation for a better future, based on economic prosperity, stability and peace. The OSCE booth at EXPO 2017 serves exactly this purpose. We invite you to engage with us in this dialogue to develop new ideas and initiatives in the coming months. Let us start together, today,” Žugić said.

President of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly Christine Muttonen expressed the belief that "the Astana EXPO will visibly demonstrate for the next three months that economic growth and environmental protection are not mutually exclusive, and that our common future depends on developing a green economy that works for us all."

Head of the Austrian OSCE Chairmanship Task Force Florian Rauning stressed that secure and sustainable energy sources are one of the main priorities of the Austrian OSCE Chairmanship. “The OSCE’s economic and environmental dimension provides an excellent basis for pragmatic, mutually beneficial co-operation among participating States. Closer co-operation in the field of trade, transport, energy and on environmental activities can be mutually beneficial and add value for all participating States”, Raunig said.

Madina Jarbussynova, OSCE Special Representative and Co-ordinator for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings, highlighted the importance of respect for human rights in the energy sector.  “Business and prevention of human trafficking as an economic and human rights issue should go hand in hand,” Jarbussynova said.  “The energy and extractive industries, which generate some of the biggest revenues globally and employ millions of workers worldwide, have to ensure that human rights protection is mainstreamed in all phases of their operations and throughout their supply chains.”

A highlight of the ceremony was the premiere of the new OSCE corporate video.  It will be continuously shown at the OSCE booth in English, Kazakh and Russian.  A number of OSCE publications are also available to the public in these three languages.

Throughout the three months duration of Expo2017, visitors of the International Organizations Plaza will learn about the OSCE’s activities and its comprehensive approach to security, with a particular focus on economic and environmental issues as key elements of that approach.