OSCE highlights the importance of co-operation and dialogue for effective climate action at COP30 in Belém

Growing climate risks are increasingly shaping security dynamics across the OSCE region—an issue the Organization placed at the centre of its engagement at COP30 in Belém. Sylvie Goyet, Deputy Co-ordinator of OSCE Economic and Environmental Activities, represented the OSCE at the conference and used the opportunity to meet with governments, international organizations, and civil society actors to discuss water governance, ocean protection, energy transition, and the impacts of climate change in conflict-affected areas.

Across all engagements in Belém, the OSCE underscored how cross-border co-operation, data sharing, and anticipatory science lie at the heart of both climate resilience and collective security. Speaking at several different events—alongside representatives from the Governments of Ukraine and Brazil, the Union for the Mediterranean, various UN agencies, and organizations working on environmental security —the OSCE promoted unified approaches to managing climate-related security risk.

“The OSCE regards environmental changes such as natural resource degradation and climate-related impacts as security challenges,” Deputy Co-ordinator Goyet said, emphasizing that the organization focuses on strengthening dialogue and co-operation as essential pathways to reducing risks and building trust. 

She emphasized the importance of stronger data sharing and early warning tools to increase the preparedness of governments and societies and address the security implications of climate change, “turning environmental risks into opportunities for shared security, transboundary cooperation, and sustainable development.”

Participating at the COP for the third year in a row, the OSCE’s engagement at COP30 continued its advocacy for unified action on climate and security risks. Drawing on the OSCE’s longstanding work on water governance, environmental security assessments, and community-level resilience efforts across its region, the Organization showcased ongoing initiatives, shared lessons learned, and deepened partnerships.

Looking ahead, the OSCE will continue working with participating States, international and regional organizations, the private sector and civil society to strengthen climate resilience and foster dialogue across the OSCE area.