Closing Statement at the 30th OSCE Economic and Environmental Forum Preparatory Meeting
As delivered by Bahram Rajaee, Political Officer
to the OSCE Economic and Environmental Forum Preparatory Meeting
February 15, 2022
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
I would like to begin by thanking Ambassador Hałaciński and the Polish Chairmanship for elevating the topic of sustainable economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic as their priority in the Second Dimension and focus of the 2022 EEF cycle. I would also like to thank the speakers and panelists who shared their expertise with us during this past day and a half. This discussion is timely and urgent in light of the challenges we face in responding to the COVID-19 pandemic—which is a clear public health threat but also one that has already inflicted much damage across the OSCE region and the world.
We expect what we heard here regarding investment and entrepreneurship, good governance and combating corruption, transport and trade facilitation, and human capital development will direclty inform the dialogue in the Second Dimension this year among delegations. The substantive focus of the panel sessions are a good foundation upon which to expand the EEF’s focus to related issues such as the green economic transition and clean energy when we next convene for the second preparatory meeting in May. Considering the nexus of building back better, promoting climate resilience, mitigation, and adaptation, and encouraging economic growth and technological innovation to spur economic recovery is essential to advancing the CiO’s agenda—which we fully support—and to exploring new ground in the Second Dimension.
The United States will continue to emphasize the importance of the clean energy transformation, role and contributions of women and girls, minorities, and historically marginalized communities, and anti-corruption as key parts of the economic recovery from the pandemic. Thank you again to the Polish Chairmanship for its hard work and focus on these issues. We look forward to continuing this conversation in the EEF and Second Dimension.
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
###
