Environmental issues pose security threats

At a two-day meeting of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) Economic and Environmental Forum that convenes today, the issue of how environmental concerns like cross-border pollution affect international security will be addressed, according to an OSCE press release. The Forum will focus on issues such as land degradation and migration that can have severe security repercussions if not dealt with. According to Carlos Sanchez de Boado y de la Valgoma, Chairman of the OSCE Permanent Council, “Only by dealing with the problem of the deterioration of ecosystems - a cause of poverty and serious social problems in many countries - can we fight against the lack of resources, which is also inducing environmental migrations.”

This is the first part of a two-part forum. The second part will deal with environmental issues and conflict resolution and prevention.

To read the press release, click here.