VIENNA/PRAGUE, 6 September 2019 – The 27^th OSCE Economic and Environmental Forum (EEF) will open on 11 September in Prague with a focus on economic progress and security in the OSCE area through energy co-operation, new technologies, good governance and connectivity in the digital era.

The EEF builds on the results of two preparatory meetings held in Vienna and Bratislava earlier this year. Its main objective is to stimulate political dialogue and generate recommendations for OSCE participating States in dealing with economic and environmental challenges.

During the three-day event, senior government officials and experts from academia, NGOs, international organizations and the private sector will discuss ways to ensure sustainable development with good environmental governance; how to reduce the environmental footprint; strengthening dialogue for co-operation on energy security; and the impact of digital transformation and good and transparent governance in the digital era.

OSCE Chairperson-in Office and Minister for Foreign and European Affairs of Slovakia Miroslav Lajčák, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic Tomáš Petříček, OSCE Secretary General Thomas Greminger, and Deputy Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs of Albania Etjen Xhafaj will open the event.

Ambassador Richard L. Morningstar, Founding Chairman of the Global Energy Center and Board Director at the Atlantic Council and Dr. Elena Rovenskaya, Acting Deputy Director General and Acting Deputy CEO, International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA), will deliver keynote speeches.

On 11 September, the incoming 2020 OSCE Albanian Chair will present thier priorities in the economic and environmental dimension.

The following sessions are open to media:

• opening session on 11 September, 14:30 to 16:30
• press conference by OSCE Chair Miroslav Lajčák and Czech Foreign Minister Tomáš Petříček on 11 September, 15:45 to 16:00
• closing session on 13 September, 11:30 to 12:30

All events will take place at the Czernin Palace, Loretánské nam. 5, Prague.

Media wishing to attend or interested in an interview or background briefing are requested to send an e-mail to the OSCE Communication and Media Relations Section at press@osce.org and/or Iveta Dzurikova, OSCE Documentation Centre in Prague, at Iveta.Dzurikova@osce.org by Tuesday, 10 September, 16:00.