EU Statement: Concluding Meeting of the 32nd OSCE Economic and Environmental Forum in Prague
The European Union thanks the Swiss Chairpersonship, the Co-ordinator of OSCE Economic and Environmental Activities and his team, for organising the Concluding Meeting of the 32nd Economic and Environmental Forum. We also thank Czechia for its longstanding commitment to hosting this meeting. The Economic and Environmental Forum continues to provide a unique platform for dialogue among participating States, international organisations, academia, the private sector and civil society. Its ability to address emerging challenges demonstrates the continued relevance of OSCE’s second dimension.
As new technologies increasingly shape our societies, economies and security, they are becoming relevant across all three dimensions of the OSCE’s comprehensive concept of security. It is therefore important for the OSCE to discuss their implications and to encourage exchanges of knowledge and experience among participating States and Partners for Co-operation. In this regard, we thank the Swiss Chairpersonship for organising the Joint Committee meeting in March and the Conference on Anticipating technologies – for a safe and humane future, in Geneva, in May, both of which highlighted the OSCE’s current work and future potential in this area from a cross-dimensional perspective.
We welcome the efforts of the OSCE executive structures and autonomous institutions to address emerging technologies and integrate a technological perspective into their work. Within their mandates and available resources, they should continue strengthening analysis and situational awareness, facilitating dialogue and exchanges of good practice, addressing the security implications of emerging technologies, and supporting capacity-building in priority areas identified by participating States. We also stress the need to close digital and technological gaps, including those affecting women and youth, by promoting access to digital skills and opportunities.
The EU and its Member States support a human rights-based, human-centred and multistakeholder approach to the design, development, deployment, governance and use of emerging technologies. The rights persons enjoy offline must also be protected online. Strong safeguards are necessary to protect human rights, foster participation in the digital public space and promote a sustainable digital future.
The growing global importance of technology makes multilateral and multistakeholder co-operation indispensable. In line with the EU International Digital Strategy, we will continue engaging actively, including within the OSCE, to share analysis, exchange good practice and promote a human-rights-compliant digital sphere.
We also welcome the emphasis on technological innovation, which is essential for growth, prosperity, stability and well-being. Research and innovation are vital to addressing challenges such as decarbonisation, competitiveness, security and resilience. Science and technology are also playing an increasing role in international relations, and co-operation in these fields can make an important contribution to peace and security in Europe.
In this context, we welcome this year’s focus on anticipation and science-based diplomacy, including risk assessment, multistakeholder engagement, capacity-building and local ownership. Science, technology and innovation can support the implementation of OSCE principles and commitments across all three dimensions. Strengthening anticipatory planning and strategic foresight is also essential for promoting longer-term thinking and better-informed multilateral decision-making.
Russia’s attempted hybrid act of sabotage at Leipzig/Halle airport on 4 August demonstrated again how exposed our critical infrastructure is. Foresight can help to see risks coming. New technologies raise the risk, but they also strengthen the defence. Early warning through sensors and modelling can enhance our resilience.
Russia’s continued illegal and brutal war of aggression against Ukraine has profound economic and environmental consequences in Ukraine and across the wider OSCE region, including in the Black Sea. The deliberate targeting and destruction of agricultural land, energy and water infrastructure, railway infrastructure and port facilities violate international humanitarian law, cause severe economic harm and accelerate environmental degradation. These attacks have also disrupted regional and global supply chains, exacerbating economic instability and food insecurity. The OSCE should therefore continue supporting Ukraine, in co-ordination with other international partners, in addressing the economic and environmental threats to security caused by Russia’s war of aggression.
We reiterate our call on Russia to immediately end its war of aggression against Ukraine and agree to a full, immediate and unconditional ceasefire. We will continue to provide comprehensive support to Ukraine and remain determined to increase pressure on Russia until it demonstrates a genuine political will to engage in meaningful negotiations towards a just and lasting peace.
Albania, Andorra, Georgia, Iceland, Republic of Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Norway and Ukraine align themselves with this statement.