About us

Economic and environmental matters have always been a part of the OSCE agenda, reflecting the Organization’s comprehensive approach to security. In the Helsinki Final Act, the States participating in the CSCECSCE
Conference on Security and Co-operation in Europe expressed their conviction that “efforts to develop co-operation in the fields of trade, industry, science and technology, the environment and other areas of economic activity contribute to the reinforcement of peace and security in Europe”.

During the CSCE era, three meetings focused specifically on economic, scientific and environmental issues: a Scientific Forum in Hamburg in 1980; a Meeting on the Protection of the Environment in Sofia in 1989; and the Conference on Economic Co-operation in Europe in Bonn in 1990. The latter was a landmark event during which the participating States expressed their commitment to market economy principles, thus opening the way for improved economic co-operation. 

As a result of an increasing interest in economic questions, the States sought an increased role for the OSCE in economic and environmental matters and decided to establish an ‘Economic Forum’ (renamed in 2007 the Economic and Environmental Forum) and create the post of the Co-ordinator of OSCE Economic and Environmental Activities. The economic and environmental dimension was given new impetus with the adoption of the OSCE Strategy Document for the Economic and Environmental Dimension in Maastricht in 2003.

Supporting the OSCE’s structures and institutions

The Office of the Co-ordinator helps the OSCE address economic, social and environmental aspects of security, responding to crises as they emerge and evolve. It provides advice to the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, Permanent Council and institutions. It also co-operates with the OSCE’s field operations to strengthen the economic, environmental and social aspects of their work and interacts with the Parliamentary Assembly in areas of economic and environmental security. 

Building partnerships

The Co-ordinator also builds and maintains the OSCE’s collaboration with relevant international economic and environmental organizations and engages in partnerships that promote economic and environmental co-operation and sustainable development in Central Asia, South-Eastern Europe, Eastern Europe and the South Caucasus.

Organizing the annual Economic and Environmental Forum

An important part of the Office’s work is dedicated to the annual Economic and Environmental Forum, a high-level meeting that serves as a platform for dialogue on economic and environmental matters for representatives of participating States, academia and civil society.

Monitoring the implementation of commitments

To monitor the implementation of commitments undertaken by the participating States, the OSCE has established the Economic and Environ­mental Dimension Implemen­tation Meetings.