Forum on the OSCE Economic and Environmental Dimension held in Prague
12.09.2025 / 15:54 | Aktualizováno: 18.09.2025 / 16:06
On 11-12 September, under the auspices of Finland’s OSCE Chairpersonship, the Chairpersonship Forum on the OSCE Economic and Environmental Dimension took place in Prague, focusing on building a resilient future in a changing climate. Jan Lipavský, Minister of Foreign Affairs, delivered the opening address. Finland was represented by Special Envoy for Climate and Security, Ms. Kerstin Stendahl, while the OSCE delegation was led by the Co-ordinator of the Economic and Environmental Activities, Ambassador Bakyt Dzhusupov. At the opening, the participants were also addressed by video messages from Finland’s Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen and the OSCE Secretary General Feridun H. Sinirlioğlu.
“In this year we celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of the Helsinki Final Act. This is a unique opportunity to recall the principles contained in this founding document of the OSCE, which should not be merely a memory of the past, but a beacon in our troubled times,” said Minister Lipavský in his opening remarks. He further pointed out the significant role of the OSCE in building resilience and enhancing preparedness, and called for environmental challenges to continue being part of the OSCE’s comprehensive approach to security.
The OSCE Economic and Environmental Forum is traditionally held as an official OSCE meeting, attended by senior experts and diplomats from the 57 participating States. However, as in 2023, this year consensus could not be reached to hold the forum as an official OSCE meeting, due to obstruction by the Russian Federation within the organization. The Finnish OSCE Chairpersonship therefore decided to hold the forum as a Chairpersonship event, themed “Building a resilient future in a changing climate.” The objectives of this year’s forum were to support the OSCE’s role in addressing the impacts of climate change on international peace and security through its comprehensive approach to security, to assess the economic and environmental consequences of Russia’s aggression in Ukraine, and to stimulate cooperation with stakeholders in implementing climate measures.
The OSCE Economic and Environmental Forum is the main and largest annual meeting of the Economic and Environmental dimension of the OSCE. For the Czech Republic, the forum carries symbolic value. Its traditional venue at Černín Palace in Prague reflects the Czech Republic’s role in the founding of the OSCE. Over the two days, forum participants discussed issues related to the impacts of climate change on international peace and security; cross-sector collaboration and a whole-society approach to climate measures; the role of data and innovation in the age of information security; and the importance of investment in strengthening resilience.