The Case of The Southern Caucasus

Environment and Security 4 /

Preface

Peacefully resolving the overriding political, economic and social concerns of our time requires amultifaceted approach, one that includes mechanisms to address the links between the natural environment and human security. The United Na- tions Development Programme, United Nations Environment Programme and the Organization for Security and Co-op- eration in Europe have joined forces in the Environment and Security (ENVSEC) Initiative to offer countries their combined pool of expertise and resources towards that aim. The ENVSEC Initiative was launched in August 2002 in response to demand from the governments of Central Asia and South Eastern Europe. The assessments of those re- gions were presented at the Kiev Environment for Europe Ministerial Conference in May 2003. To address the priority issues and hot spots identified, the ENVSEC partners have since worked with the governments to design and imple- ment targeted follow-up activities. At the invitation of the governments of Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia, ENVSEC has now been extended to the coun- tries of the Southern Caucasus. Stakeholders consulted in these countries have identified the following linkages between environmental stress and potential social tension and areas of particular vulnerability: Environmental degradation and access to natural re- sources in areas of conflict Management of cross-border environmental concerns: cross-border water resources, natural hazards, and in- dustrial and military legacies • •

Population growth and rapid development in capital and other major cities

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The work programme will be built around three pillars: In depth vulnerability assessment, early warning and monitoring of “at risk” areas Policy development and implementation Institutional development, capacitybuildingandadvocacy Tackling certain environment and security priorities may also require infrastructure development and remediation activities, for which UNDP, UNEP, and OSCE will help to identify partners with appropriate capacities. As a first step, the lead organizations have worked with local partners to establish National Co-ordination Groups within each of the countries to assist in the implementation and monitoring of follow-up projects. The people of the Southern Caucasus countries face a time of far-reaching social and economic transformation. Environmental protection and sustainable resources man- agement are means for the attainment of a more secure and prosperous future. In the service of this aim, NATO is welcomed to the ENVSEC Initiative as an associate. Other organizations, institutions, foundations and donors are invited to join the Initiative, to sponsor and co-operate in the implementation of activi- ties within the framework of the Initiative, and to lend their expertise to this common effort. • • •

Ben Slay Frits Schlingemann Marcin Swiecicki

Director, UNDP Bratislava Regional Centre Director and Regional Representative in Europe, UNEP ROE Co-ordinator of OSCE Economic and Environmental Activities, OSCE