Fields of work

Environmental activities

Recognizing the close connection between the environment and security, the OSCE aims to strengthen co-operation on environmental issues as part of a broader effort to prevent conflict, build mutual confidence and promote good neighbourly relations.

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Factsheet of the Office of the Co-ordinator of OSCE Economic and Environmental Activities

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Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe

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Our approach to security

Our challenge

Many factors can affect security and stability, often across borders, population segments or the OSCE’s three dimensions.

Environmental degradation, climate change and the unsustainable exploitation of natural resources have already been recognized in the 1970s as significant drivers of instability, leading at times to tension or even violent conflict in or between countries. The OSCE States have recognized that environmental factors are often intertwined with economic ones, since environmentally dependent economic sectors are affected, such as agriculture, forestry or fishing and mining. The OSCE considers that environmental challenges and threats to security and stability have to be addressed in tandem with economic and business-related considerations.

Environmental degradation, unsustainable use of natural resources and mismanagement in the processing and disposal of wastes have a substantial impact on the health, welfare, stability and security of our countries and can upset ecological systems. These factors, together with problems of access to resources and negative external effects of pollution, can cause tensions between countries.

Our action

Building on our comprehensive and co-operative approach to security, we work on strategies to tackle the issue head-on.

Our work in this field focuses on sustainable development and good environmental governance. We support projects and activities that ensure the sustainable management of natural resources, particularly water, within and between countries; reduce the risks of disasters; address the challenges of climate change; and safely manage hazardous waste. We also run initiatives to raise environmental awareness, promote public participation in environmental decision-making, and facilitate the public’s access to justice in environmental matters. We also aim to improve energy security through the introduction of practical guidelines, feasibility studies and tailor-made workshops.

Mandate

Our teams

Our institutions, field operations and offices bring to the task expert skills and knowledge to develop tailor-made solutions for each challenge.

Our institutions and offices

The Co-ordinator of OSCE Economic and Environmental Activities takes the lead on the OSCE’s initiatives on both of these issues. The Co-ordinator’s Office works closely with the Chairpersonship and under the guidance of the Economic and Environmental Committee, a subsidiary body of the Permanent Council. Every year, it organizes the Economic and Environmental Forum and holds an implementation meeting to assess the progress made regarding the implementation of economic and environmental commitments by the OSCE States.

The OSCE Chairperson-in-Office has also appointed a Special Representative on Climate Action.

Our operations on the ground

Several field operations in Central Asia and South-Eastern Europe carry out environmental activities, ranging from supporting national authorities in the implementation of multilateral environmental agreements, to supporting the development and revision of environmental legislation and strengthening the capacities of civil society to address environmental and security challenges.

Centre in Ashgabat

Set up on 23 July 1998, the Centre works on a broad array of security issues, from arms control to economic-environmental topics and human rights.

Programme Office in Astana

Established on 23 July 1998, the Office's work ranges from arms control and border management to economic-environmental issues and human rights.

Programme Office in Bishkek

Established on 23 July 1998, the Office works in all OSCE dimensions, including the economic-environmental, human and political aspects of security.

Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina

Established on 8 December 1995, the Mission works on human rights, education, the rule of law, gender equality, governance and security co-operation.

Programme Office in Dushanbe

Established on 1 December 1993, the Office works on activities ranging from arms control to disaster risk reduction, good governance and gender equality.

Mission to Montenegro

Established on 29 June 2006, the Mission assists Montenegro with its reform agenda and helps it further strengthen its democratic development.

Mission to Serbia

The Mission, set up on 11 January 2001, is based in Belgrade and assists Serbia in building accountable democratic institutions.

Project Co-ordinator in Uzbekistan

Active in the country since 1 July 2006, the Co-ordinator helps strengthen legislation and build institutional capacity in Uzbekistan.

Projects

Initiatives funded by individual states and organizations

Projects

Studies and reports

Reports, studies and analyses for policymakers, researchers and all those interested in this field of our work

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Manuals and guides

Practice-oriented manuals, guides, handbooks and recommendations for policymakers and practitioners working in this field

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OSCE stories

Read up on the OSCE, our people on the ground and our work

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