Environment and Security

Environment and Security / 7

Introduction

������������������������������������ ����������������������������������������

strengths and field presence of the lead organizations to fulfil three key functions: assessing vulnerability, and monitoring environment and security linkages; building capacity and de- veloping institutions; and developing, implementing, and ad- vocating integration of environmental and security concerns and priorities in international and national policy-making. ENVSEC assessment work focuses on identifying environ- mental sources of insecurity and opportunities for coopera- tion. It attempts to find areas for priority action by partner organizations and affected communities. ENVSEC uses regional approach because a multilateral perspective is needed to address many potential sources of environmental conflict and threats to human security. The pilot phase of the initiative in 2003 assessed environ- mental threats in Central Asia and South-Eastern Europe, two regions where environmental concerns have clear se- curity implications. The Southern Caucasus joined in 2004, and we look forward to welcoming Eastern Europe as well as the Circumpolar Arctic in 2005-2006. In each region work starts by identifying, through consultation with national and regional stakeholders, priority environment and security is- sues and situations. The subsequent stage moves to the lo- cal level in the regions and countries, with specific hotspots being assessed and inter-agency intervention designed for the following years. This is exactly the stage that ENVSEC has reached with the Ferghana valley in Central Asia. ENVSEC is governed by a Memorandum of Understanding signed by UNEP, UNDP and OSCE in 2003, as well as an agreement on association with NATO through its Public Di- plomacy Division. A ProgrammeManagement Unit located at UNEP in Geneva coordinates all operations, fund-raising and reporting for the initiative. The ENVSECManagement Board, consisting of senior members of the respective organizations, approves strategic guidelines and allocation of funds. National Governments are strongly represented in the EN- VSEC process through partnerships with all the founding organizations. Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Ministries of the Environment firmly endorsed the ENVSEC approach at the Fifth Environment for Europe ministerial conference in Kyiv in 2003, at OSCE Economic Fora and Ministerial

��� ������

������� ������

������� ����

�������� ��������

������������� ������

���������������������������������������������� � �������������������������������

Councils and at other international and regional meetings such as the Environment for Europe ministerial meeting for EECCA countries in Tbilisi in 2004. Regular links with national Governments are maintained through UNDP and OSCE networks of country missions and throughNational Focal Points appointed by theGovernments, typically representing Ministries of Foreign Affairs and the En- vironment. During implementation of specific projects, national inter-sectoral working groups can be established in host coun- tries. Through regular briefings for senior government officials, ENVSEC activities are also coordinated with ongoing policy processes, including the implementation of the Environmen- tal Strategy for Eastern Europe, Caucasus and Central Asia (EECCA) launched in Kyiv in 2003 (UNECE 2003). Academic community and civil society organizations are involved in national and regional scoping consultations, and take part in country working groups and specific project ac- tivities. At an international level ENVSECmaintains links with research and policy organizations with relevant expertise.