On the PC Decision on the Theme, Agenda, and Modalities for the 29th Economic and Environmental Forum (PC.DD/49/20)
As delivered by Ambassador James S. Gilmore III
to the Permanent Council, Vienna
December 17, 2020
Thank you, Mr. Chairperson.
Regarding the Economic and Environmental Forum, the United States wishes to make an interpretative statement under paragraph IV.1(A)6 of the Rules of Procedure of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe.
The United States welcomes the adoption of this decision and the 2021 Swedish Chairmanship’s efforts to promote comprehensive security, stability, and sustainable development in the OSCE area through women’s economic empowerment.
In joining consensus on the Economic and Environmental Forum (EEF) theme, agenda, and modalities, the United States wishes to review and reiterate the commitments that participating States have made regarding inviting relevant organizations to the EEF. Relevance for the purpose of being invited to participate in the EEF has two essential elements: first, the international organizations’ expertise or programming relevant to the EEF theme of the year; and second, that those organizations’ goals and actions are consistent with the commitments participating States made at the 1999 Istanbul Summit in the Charter for European Security, paragraph III.32, and the Platform for Co-operative Security, paragraphs I.1-2.
I request that this interpretative statement be attached to the decision and to the Journal of the Day.
Thank you, Mr. Chairperson.
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