Closing Statement at the 30th OSCE Economic and Environmental Forum Preparatory Meeting

Closing Statement at the 30th OSCE Economic and Environmental Forum Preparatory Meeting

As delivered by Bahram Rajaee, Political Officer
OSCE Economic and Environmental Forum Preparatory Meeting, Łódź, Poland 
May 25, 2022

Thank you, Mr. Chair. 

Over the past two days, we have heard from many interesting speakers on the core themes of this forum:  the sustainable use of natural resources in support of green growth; cooperation in energy efficiency and renewable energy; pathways to green and sustainable recover; and innovations to accelerate green growth.  I would like to thank all the speakers and panelists who shared their expertise with us.   

It is readily apparent from the discussions and panel sessions that many participating States are pursuing a wide range of approaches to the challenge of sustainable economic recovery and integrating the green transition in that process.  However, it is also readily apparent that the challenge of recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic is compounded daily by Russia’s unprovoked aggression in Ukraine and the widening scope and range of its disastrous consequences for Ukraine, its neighbors, and the world.  We can all see this happening in real time.  As I noted in our Opening Statement, we in the Second Dimension must acknowledge this reality and Russia’s ongoing violation of the core values of this organization in a clear-eyed manner.  

 I would again like to express my thanks to the Polish Chairmanship for its hard work and focus on these issues.   

Thank you, Mr. Chair. 

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