Mr. Chair, Excellencies, Mr. Secretary General, distinguished participants,
First, let me express our gratitude to the Swiss Chairpersonship, the Slovenian Chair of the Economic and Environmental Committee and the Office of the Co-ordinator of Economic and Environmental Activities for organising this meeting and to our Czech colleagues for hosting this meeting.
Norway welcomes the adoption of the PC decision on the 32nd Economic and Environmental Forum. We reiterate the importance of mandated meetings across all the three dimensions, and regret that some participating States continue to block consensus on mandated events, such as the Human Dimension Implementation Meeting.
Mr. Chair,
This forum takes place, once again, against the backdrop of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine. The war has highlighted how closely interconnected economic, environmental and security challenges are across the OSCE area. Its consequences extend far beyond Ukraine’s borders, affecting energy security, supply chains, critical infrastructure and environmental sustainability. At the same time, Ukraine has demonstrated remarkable resilience and an exceptional capacity for innovation under extraordinarily difficult circumstances. The lessons learned are relevant to all participating States as we work to strengthen security, resilience and stability in a rapidly changing world.
Mr. Chair,
For Norway, security encompasses economic resilience, energy security and environmental sustainability. As emerging technologies transform these areas, closer cooperation between policymakers and researchers, international cooperation and complementarity across organisations, are essential to anticipate risks and strengthen security.
Mr. Chair,
Emerging technologies create significant opportunities for our economies, energy systems and critical infrastructure. At the same time, they also introduce new risks and vulnerabilities and drain already strained natural resources. As technological change accelerates, lasting security will depend not only on our ability to innovate, but also on our ability to enhance transparency, dialogue and predictability. Technology alone does not create security. Security emerges when innovation is guided by democratic governance, ethical norms, inclusive societies and international cooperation.
We must consider the broader implications of technological change for economic and environmental security. New technologies should help us address shared challenges, including climate change and sustainable development, rather than exacerbate existing risks or enable illicit activities such as money laundering, corruption, organised crime and sanctions evasion.
Equally important is ensuring that technological transformation benefits from the talents and perspectives of the entire population. Women’s participation in science, technology and security strengthens both the quality of decision-making and the resilience of our societies.
Mr. Chair,
The future will not be shaped by technology alone, but by the choices we make about how to use it.
Thank you.