Environment and Security (ENVSEC) Initiative
The
work of the ENVSEC Initiative is based on recognition of indisputable
links between peacebuilding, governance, development and environment.
The Initiative was established by OSCE, UNEP and UNDP in 2003
and further strengthened by the UNECE and REC in 2005. NATO joined
the Initiative in 2004 as an associate member through its Science
for Peace and Security Committee.
The overall goal of the Initiative is to contribute to reduction
of environment and security risks, and strengthen cooperation
between and within countries that are vulnerable to environmental
damage and competition over natural resources. The ENVSEC partners
provide multistakeholder based analysis of environment and security
risks and support a process whereby the identified risks are systematically
addressed through stregthening policies, institutions and capacities.
Supported by field presences of OSCE, UNDP, and REC, ENVSEC operates
in 20 countries, from the Balkans to Central Asia, in close cooperation
with national experts from various ministries and national agencies
as well as NGOs and research institutes.
The ENVSEC work is a two-stage process in which partner organizations
conduct assessments of environment and security risks and then
develop work programmes to address the identified concerns. The
work programmes are built around four inter-related “pillars”:
1) In-depth vulnerability assessment, early warning and monitoring;
2) Strengthening policies, institutions and awareness; 3) Capacity
building. In areas where specific risks are present ENVSEC also
implements its “fourth pillar” ‘Clean-up and
remediation’ by mobilizing financial support and technical
expertise.
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Achievements to date and future plans
During the first three-year programming period from 2003 to 2006
participatory assessments of environment and security risks, led
by UNEP, have been carried out in four sub-regions – South
Eastern Europe, the Southern Caucasus and Central Asia and Eastern
Europe (Belarus, Moldova, Ukraine). The ENVSEC assessments have
resulted in identification and agreement on environment and security
“hotspots” as well as development of response activities
varying from information exchange to political dialogue and pursuit
of joint policies, and from development, negotiation and adoption
of legal instruments to their implementation and actual technical
assistance on the ground.
The implementation of follow-up projects in the four regions will
be continued during 2007 - 2009. Further assessments are planned
for specific regions, such as the Eastern Caspian and Amu Darya
water basins in Central Asia and the frozen conflict zones in
the Southern Caucasus. More
on ENVSEC
