The  Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) is organizing the Forum with the theme “Promoting security and stability in the OSCE area through sustainable economic recovery after the COVID-19 pandemic.”

Minister Lipavsky stated: “We would certainly prefer to discuss only the most appropriate policies for reconstructing our economies so badly hit by the COVID-19 pandemic and to celebrate the landmark anniversary of the EEF. However, Russia’s war against Ukraine deeply influences our efforts in the economic and environmental dimension of the OSCE. The war has hit Ukraine hard, yet all of us feel its consequences.”

For the Forum’s introduction, Ukraine’s Deputy Minister of Energy Yaroslav Demchenkov gave the keynote speech at this year’s forum, speaking in particular about the enormous damage to Ukraine’s energy sector because of six months of Russian aggression against Ukraine.

Czechia, in cooperation with the OSCE Group of Friends of the Environment, organised on the margins of this year’s EEF meeting and on the occasion of its EU Council Presidency a side event titled: “Security Impacts of Climate Change in South-Eastern Europe” under the subtitle “The Contribution of the OSCE and the Czech Republic to the Climate Resilience of the Region.” Among other things, Czechia is voluntarily contributing and participating in the activities of the OSCE in this region, which is one of its geographical priorities.

The two day conference, which is the largest repeating international forum organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, takes place every year in the Czernin palace in Prague.

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