OSCE Chair Finland to convene international conference on climate and security

The Ministry for Foreign Affairs will host a Conference on Climate and Security in cooperation with the Ministry of the Environment in Hanasaari, Espoo, on 11 June. The Conference is one of the main events of Finland’s OSCE Chairpersonship. Experts will discuss a range of issues on climate, peace and security at the event, including the environmental and climate impacts of conflicts and the role of businesses and civil society in strengthening climate security.

The aim of the Conference on Climate and Security is to promote a comprehensive approach to security, which entails cross-sectoral and whole-of-society cooperation.

The event will bring together, among others, experts, human rights defenders, international organisations and businesses from the participating States and Partners for Co-operation of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE).

The Conference will discuss the climate and environmental impacts of conflicts. The focus will be on Russia’s illegal war of aggression, which has caused immeasurable environmental damage. The direct and indirect impacts of the war threaten the environment, health, livelihoods and security throughout the OSCE region.

The role of businesses and civil society in strengthening climate security is also on the agenda.

The discussions will provide input for a study on climate security due to be published later this year. The study aims to sharpen the OSCE’s role among international climate actors.

The Conference on Climate and Security, to be held in Hanasaari, Espoo, will comply with responsible meeting practices aimed to minimise the adverse effects of events and to strengthen their positive impact on the environment, society and economy.

The OSCE is the world’s largest regional security organisation under the UN Charter.  The strength of the OSCE lies in its comprehensive concept of security, encompassing not only politico-military security but also human rights and democracy issues as well as the economic and environmental dimensions.

As OSCE Chair, Finland aims to increase the resilience of the participating States and respond to the security challenges caused by climate change.

The Conference is part of the programme for Finland's OSCE Chairpersonship and can also be followed remotely. A link to the streaming of the event is available on Hanaholmen’s websiteLinkki toiselle sivustolle.