(MENAFN- Trend News Agency)
In an exclusive interview with Trend News Agency, OSCE
Secretary General Helga Schmid shares insights on the
organization's perspective on recent developments in Central Asia
and the new cooperation formats they are ready to introduce. Trend
News Agency is a leading source of news from this region in the
global information space.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, August 30. OSCE focuses on
climate resilience in Central Asia through cross-border
collaboration, Helga Schmid, OSCE Secretary General, told Trend in an exclusive interview.
"Earthquakes, but also droughts, landslides, and floods
aggravated by climate change, are major threats in Central Asia.
They disrupt economic growth, damage infrastructure, slow down
progress on key economic and social indicators, and undermine
efforts to maintain security and peace. That is why effective
cross-border water management and cooperation on disaster risk
reduction are so important to address these issues affecting the
region," she said.
According to Schmid, the OSCE has unveiled a new initiative
aimed at bolstering climate resilience across Central Asia, as the
region faces mounting environmental threats exacerbated by climate
change.
The OSCE has long championed regional cooperation in
transboundary water management and security. The SecGen emphasized
the importance of this cooperation: "Effective cross-border water
management is essential for creating a stable and secure foundation
for development. By working together, Central Asian countries can
build a robust framework for addressing shared environmental
challenges".
The organization's field operations in Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan
have supported the Intergovernmental Chu-Talas Water Commission,
providing technical expertise and facilitating dialogue. "Our work
with the Chu-Talas Water Commission is a prime example of how
regional collaboration can lead to tangible improvements in water
security and management," she noted.
In Tajikistan, the OSCE's Programme Office in Dushanbe has been
actively involved in promoting sustainable irrigation policies and
wastewater treatment.“Sustainable water management is crucial for
ensuring long-term environmental and economic stability,” the
SecGen remarked. "Our initiatives in Tajikistan aim to develop and
implement policies that will benefit the region as a whole".
The new initiative will focus on enhancing resilience to
environmental risks and disasters across Central Asia and the South
Caucasus. Helga Schmid highlighted the goals of the initiative:
"Our first pilot project in Central Asia will help us identify
specific needs and develop a regional roadmap for disaster
preparedness and response. This collaborative effort will bring
together all five Central Asian countries to address environmental
challenges in a unified manner".
The OSCE is also emphasizing the importance of gender
inclusivity in decision-making on water security. "Equal
participation of women in high-level decision-making processes is
vital for achieving comprehensive and effective solutions," she
added.
"Our comprehensive approach to security involves both enhancing
preparedness and fostering regional cooperation,” the SecGen said.
"By improving alert systems, early warning mechanisms, and
collaborative frameworks, we can better address the risks posed by
environmental degradation and natural disasters".
She further noted that, in recent years, the OSCE has been
actively advancing its work on energy security in Central Asia,
with efforts continually expanding to address emerging challenges.
Helga Schmid emphasized the importance of collaboration between
governments, the private sector, and civil society to not only
enhance access to energy but also to protect energy systems from
evolving threats, including the growing impacts of climate
change.
"Our goal is to ensure that all stakeholders work together to
strengthen the resilience of energy systems against new threats,"
she said. "This is why we recently launched a pioneering project
that provides downscaled climate modeling for the energy sector
across the region until 2050. This initiative is a crucial step in
helping the region adapt to the long-term impacts of climate
change".
The SecGen also acknowledged the efforts of countries in
transitioning to greener energy in line with their commitments to
the Paris Agreement. "We are fully supporting these efforts, aiming
to help countries achieve their energy transition goals in a way
that's both sustainable and inclusive," she noted. "It's essential
that women and marginalized groups are actively involved in this
transition, ensuring that no one is left behind".
On the topic of connectivity, the OSCE remains committed to
helping stakeholders in trade and transport unlock the full
potential of the region as a key market hub connecting Europe and
Asia. The SecGen highlighted one of the OSCE's flagship
initiatives, the 'Green Ports' Project, which assists selected
ports in the Caspian and Black Seas in achieving EcoPorts
certifications, aligning them with top international environmental
standards.
"This is an initiative I am personally very proud of," she said.
"I was pleased to hand over eco-certificates in person to the ports
of Kuryk in Kazakhstan and Turkmenbashi in Turkmenistan during my
visits to the region. I was equally impressed by the work done at
the port of Baku. Moving forward, we plan to further strengthen the
resilience of these ports against the projected impacts of climate
change".
Looking ahead, the OSCE plans to expand its work on connectivity
by promoting cross-border trade and transport facilitation,
supporting regional and interregional economic cooperation, and
establishing an interregional digital trade platform.
"We believe that enhancing collaboration to build a secure
energy provision system and a trans-border trade network can
significantly boost confidence and promote security in the region,"
the SecGen stated. "We are actively working to ensure that our
initiatives deliver tangible results on the ground, benefiting
millions across the region".
Schmid highlighted the OSCE's efforts to reduce the
environmental impact of ports in the Caspian and Black Sea regions,
emphasizing the significant progress made in recent years. "When I
visited the Port of Baku last July, I saw firsthand the difference
this is making," she stated. The OSCE is leveraging advanced
technologies to enable ports to monitor various environmental
factors, allowing them to adapt their operations to meet ambitious
sustainability goals.
Beyond port initiatives, the OSCE is also fostering broader
climate cooperation across Central Asia, bringing cities like
Astana, Ashgabat, and Tashkent into the fold. Schmid underscored
the importance of urban areas in addressing climate challenges,
given that most of the global population now resides in cities. The
organization is working to develop sustainable, resilient, and
innovative urban solutions, sharing knowledge and best practices
across borders to ensure that Central Asia is well-prepared for the
future.
The OSCE's efforts in green ports and urban cooperation reflect
a broader commitment to cross-border collaboration as a central
strategy for overcoming climate-related challenges. Schmid noted,
"There is simply no other way. The OSCE is doing its part to
deliver for the citizens across the OSCE region."
Speaking further, Helga Schmid highlighted the critical need for
cross-border cooperation to address the multifaceted challenges
faced by Central Asia and the South Caucasus. "The challenges we
face transcend national borders. Our solutions must therefore
bridge communities, borders, and nations," she stated, emphasizing
that no single country can tackle issues such as climate change,
ongoing conflicts, or regional instability alone.
Reflecting on her tenure, Helga Schmid underscored the OSCE's
commitment to fostering regional collaboration. "Bringing together
states to address shared security issues is at the heart of the
OSCE's mission. This is particularly relevant for Central Asia and
the South Caucasus," she noted. The SecGen praised the OSCE's
efforts in promoting and often initiating regional cooperation to
address common challenges.
One notable achievement mentioned by the SecGen was the launch
of a regional environmental dialogue format at the OSCE High-Level
Conference on Climate Change, held in Vienna on July 7, 2023. This
new '5+1 format' has proven effective in strengthening regional
partnerships, with subsequent meetings involving Foreign Affairs
Ministers in 2023 and Environment Ministers in March 2024.
Emphasizing the importance of inclusivity, Schmid pointed out
that safety and security cannot be achieved without involving
diverse perspectives. "The OSCE is dedicated to providing platforms
for young people and women to contribute to regional security," she
said. Through model conferences, summer schools, and initiatives
like the Young Women for Peace Initiative for Central Asia, the
OSCE is working to empower young women and men in peacebuilding and
conflict resolution.
Helga Schmid expressed pride in these efforts and reaffirmed the
OSCE's commitment to supporting a sustainable and peaceful future
for the region. "Our work in Central Asia and the South Caucasus is
ongoing, and we remain focused on building a more secure and
cooperative regional environment," she concluded.
You can read the first part of the interview with the OSCE
Secretary General at the following link .
MENAFN30082024000187011040ID1108618902