COPENHAGEN, 12 May 2021 – Addressing the OSCE Economic and Environmental Committee meeting today, OSCE PA economic and environmental committee Rapporteur Elona Gjebrea Hoxha (Albania) spoke about evolving threats to the environment and sustainable economic development. Dedicated to the topic of “Environment, sustainable economic development and security,” the meeting’s focus was on promoting economic and environmental co-operation that is mutually beneficial and contributes to good neighbourly relations, confidence-building and trust in the OSCE area.
In her address, Hoxha stressed the importance of addressing the planet’s growing development needs while also protecting the environment. “Through several initiatives at the PA aimed at addressing environmental security in a more comprehensive and interdisciplinary way,” she said, “it became apparent that better understanding the environment and its nexus with our daily security is the main priority for all.”
She focused in particular on the challenge of climate change, which she pointed out is now widely recognized as a global crisis, with people all over the world being affected directly, as individuals and as a community. “Extreme weather, land degradation, constantly growing levels of greenhouse emissions, drastic losses in biodiversity, rise of sea levels, conflicts for access to clean water, and other increasingly scarce resources are only some of many security challenges stemming from the radical degradation of our environment,” she said.
Hoxha focused on the need for coherent and stringent environmental mitigation and adaptation strategies, including by implementing relevant international accords such as the COP21 Paris Agreement, furthering co-operation with the OSCE and developing new partnerships, and promoting the exchange of best practices and raising awareness among parliamentarians on the need for a transition towards an environmentally friendly society.
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As Rapporteur of the OSCE PA’s Committee on Economic Affairs, Science, Technology and Environment, Hoxha will be presenting a report to the 29th Annual Session, which will take place in an online format during the first week of July.
