Publication Name

Environment and Security

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.

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