Thank you, Madam Chair,
Ambassador Bakyt Dzhusupov,
Albania congratulates you on your appointment as Co-ordinator of the OSCE Economic and Environmental Activities and thanks you for the comprehensive report.
We express our appreciation for the excellent work done by the former Coordinator Igli Hasani and wish good luck to you, Ambassador Dzhusupov, and the whole team of the Office of the Coordinator of OSCE Economic and Environmental Activities.
We commend the work that OCEEA is doing in the field of good governance, preventing and fighting corruption, and in supporting participating States in enhancing connectivity, digitalization, climate change, disaster risk reduction, etc.
Women empowerment and gender equality, are important component of your work as well.
We acknowledge the needs-based and demand-driven approach followed by OCEEA as the right one, in order to design and implement tailor-made programmes and projects, according to the needs of participating States. The broad geographical area and the diverse thematic topics of the programmes implemented indicate the comprehensive approach followed by the OCEEA. The co-operation and co-ordination of the OCEEA with international stakeholders and partners, besides co-ordination with participating States and within OSCE secretariat, is contributing to the high efficiency of the implementation of programmes and projects.
We welcome the recent Permanent Council decision on the agenda and modalities for the 31st Economic and Environmental Forum. We reiterate our position in support of the equal importance of holding the mandated events in all three OSCE dimensions and we appreciate the efforts of Malta’s Chairpersonship in this regard.
We welcome the OCEEA’s important work in supporting Ukraine in addressing the most vital economic and environmental consequences caused by Russia’s illegal aggression. This work includes in-depth assessment and capacity building with Ukrainian counterparts on disaster risk reduction, water management, hazardous waste, as well as developing tailor-made activities in preventing corruption and enhancing accountability for the national authorities.
Furthermore, the engagement of the OCEEA in Central Asia focusing on the developments in Afghanistan, in line with the Secretary General’s RIAOR initiative, is to be highly valuated.
We highlight the importance that the OCEEA gives to the role that women play in various areas of society and we value your efforts to integrate a gender perspective in several key projects in Central Asia, such as anti-corruption, water management, human capital development and energy.
Madam Chair, Ambassador Dzhusupov,
In spite of the challenges and budgetary restraints thar we are still facing this year, the OCEEA has shown dedication, energy and strong sense of responsibility in fulfilling its mandate and strengthening the OSCE’s role in facilitating dialogue and supporting co-operation in the Economic-Environmental Dimension.
In light of the OCEEA projects undertaken in the Western Balkans, including my country Albania, we welcome the work carried out under the ExB ongoing project “Strengthening Responses to Security Risks from Climate Change in South-Eastern Europe, Eastern Europe, the South Caucasus and Central Asia”
With 70 per cent of its area covered by mountainous, Albania can give an important perspective in the implementation of this project on the Sharr Mountain and Korab Massif, which have been assigned as priority hotspots for regional co-operation to reduce climate change-related security risks.
Likewise, we welcome two other ongoing projects related to Albania, namely “Support the co-operation between park authorities and enforcement bodies for the prevention of illegal logging, illegal hunting and the smuggling of wildlife” and the ExB project on “Mitigating Climate Change Threats to Critical Energy Infrastructure”.
Another initiative of the OCEEA that deserves our acknowledgement is the YDEAS project – Young Developers and Entrepreneurs to Advance Start-ups. This project supports human capital development, fair digital transition, sustainable economic growth, reconciliation and stability in the Western Balkans. Albania applauds your Office’s efforts in appreciating the vitality, enthusiasm and innovative ideas brought by our young people. We are grateful to all the donors for their generosity in supporting these ExB projects.
In conclusion, Ambassador Dzhusupov, you can rest assured of Albania’s support to you and your committed team. Thank you.
