The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe’s (OSCE) 15th Economic and Environmental Forum, which convened in Prague, Czech Republic, from 21-23 May 2007, focused on “Key challenges to ensure environmental security and sustainable development in the OSCE area: Land degradation, soil contamination and water management.” The meeting focused on how the Organization can help its 56 participating States and 11 Partners for Co-operation tackle environmental security threats.

The OSCE Spanish Chairmanship is developing an Environmental Security Strategy for the Organization that will be discussed during the year and debated at the OSCE Ministerial Council to be held in November in Madrid.
Among the issues discussed was whether the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) and OSCE should launch a capacity and institution building initiative in Central Asia to raise awareness on and strengthen implementation of the Convention, including through working with the countries in the region towards the creation of an International Centre for Monitoring Land Degradation and Desertification in Central Asia, with a regional workshop to be held as a first step in this direction. Participants at the first part of the OSCE Economic and Environmental Forum, held in January in Vienna, Austria, decided that a dialogue about such a Centre should begin. The Prague Forum reiterated this intent.
Link to further information
OSCE 15th Economic and Environmental Forum website