VIENNA, 12 October 2021 – Immediate actions offers a chance to curb economic and environmental security risks, and build more resilient and sustainable societies in the OSCE and the Mediterranean regions say participants at the OSCE 2021 Mediterranean Partners Conference, which opened today in Vienna.

Organized by the Polish Chair of the Mediterranean Partners for Co-operation Group, the two-day conference outlines a ‘road to resilience’ for recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. The conference will focus on three areas in which the OSCE can add value to Mediterranean co-operation: sustainable and green recovery, fighting pandemic-related organized crime, and combating human trafficking in labour markets affected by the pandemic.

“When building back from the pandemic, we have a chance to make it right, and to build back better by focusing on human security and sustainable development”, said OSCE Chairperson-in-Office and Sweden’s Minister for Foreign Affairs Ann Linde. “To achieve sustainable security, peace and development, we need our societies to be more inclusive. Women and girls need to be economically empowered. And our youth must be heard in the political processes that affect their current, as well as their future, lives and safety.”

“We meet at a particular moment that requires reflection and action,” said Deputy Foreign Minister of Poland, Piotr Wawrzyk. “COVID-19 still has a substantial impact on our work. However, it taught us something important — as an Organization and as societies, we cannot do much if we do not join forces. Sharing the same challenges, we are aware that recovery demands co-ordinated action.”

Megi Fino, Albania’s Deputy Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, said that recovery depends on stronger co-operation with Europe and the OSCE region for the Mediterranean Partners. “We need to move from lofty statements to concrete action. As the virus knows no borders, so should our approach to trade and investment. We cannot afford a post-pandemic recovery that does not bridge – or at worst even widens – the long-standing gap in economic opportunity between the different shores of the Mediterranean basin.”

“We could look with some confidence at the emerging post-pandemic world,” said OSCE Secretary General Helga Maria Schmid. “However, it would be mistaken to conclude we can just turn the page. We may be able to manage, but not necessarily end the pandemic. Resilience will be the name of the game from now on. The OSCE has an important role in operationalizing resilience across all areas of security from politico-military to economic and environmental, and the human dimensions,” said Schmid.