Pere Joan Pons addresses Economic and Environmental Forum in Prague, 8 September 2022COPENHAGEN, 9 September 2022 – Representing the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly at the Concluding Meeting of the OSCE Economic and Environmental Forum (EEF) this week, PA Vice-President Pere Joan Pons (Spain) spoke yesterday about the vast economic and environmental challenges faced by OSCE citizens amidst the war in Ukraine, as well as the climate emergency, years of a public health crisis, and the urgent need for a fair and sustainable energy transition.
Focusing on the critical challenges posed by the war in Ukraine, Vice-President Pons urged an acceleration of the energy transition, emphasizing the need for governments to assist citizens who are having trouble paying for energy bills. “At the height of an energy emergency that is greatly impacting citizens and their way of living, we all realize that such a transition can no longer be postponed,” Pons said.
He highlighted the huge economic and environmental challenges faced by people in the OSCE area, which are being compounded by effects of climate change and the continued economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. In this regard, he said, parliamentarians have a critical role to play, as there is a need for all stakeholders and policymakers to work together at this juncture. The challenges are simply too big and too many to tackle alone, he said, noting the unique forum for dialogue provided by the OSCE in times of crisis and confrontation.
Moderated by Ambassador Igor Djundev, the Permanent Representative of North Macedonia to the OSCE, the panel that Pons participated in was focused on the role of the Economic and Environmental Forum in advancing dialogue and co-operation in supporting dialogue, co-operation and the implementation of OSCE economic and environmental commitments. In particular, participants focused on ways to promote sustainable economic recovery and green growth, innovation for sustainable economic recovery, and the role of the energy sector in greening the economy.
The Economic and Environmental Forum is the main meeting-cycle within the economic and environmental dimension of the OSCE. Its objectives are to identify needs and priorities, to raise awareness and to stimulate the political will of the 57 OSCE participating States in dealing with economic, environmental and security-related challenges, to share best practices, as well as to provide a platform for dialogue with representatives of international organizations, the business and academic communities, and civil society.
The 2022 Concluding Meeting, taking place 8-9 September, builds upon the results from the two Preparatory Meetings held in Vienna on 14-15 February 2022, and in Łódź, Poland, on 23-24 May.
