Environment and Security Initiative

The Environment and Security Initiative (ENVSEC) is a partnership of six international organizations – the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), Regional Environment Centre for Central and Eastern Europe (REC), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) as an associated partner – with specialized, but complementary mandates and expertise, that provides an integrated response to environment and security challenges. The mission of ENVSEC is to contribute to the reduction of environment and security risks through strengthened cooperation among and within countries in four regions: Central Asia, Eastern Europe, Southern Caucasus, and South-Eastern Europe. In his speech at the Permanent Council of the OSCE in April 2010, the Secretary-General of the United Nations made a specific reference to ENVSEC, which he described as a "common denominator" to address environment and security challenges.

ENVSEC recognizes that the best way to address environmental and security concerns is through prevention, international dialogue and neighbourly cooperation. The Initiative assists governments and communities to identify common solutions and develop joint projects for achieving them, and facilitates dialogue and collaboration among policy makers, environmental experts, and the civil society across the borders, including national experts ministries and national agencies, as well as NGOs and research institutes.

Spotting shared benefits and solutions

• The ENVSEC approach consists in four main steps: 
• Assess the situation on the ground and map the problems ("hotspots") in a participatory way; 
• Draw the attention of politicians and people to these "hotspots" and gain recognition and political support; 
• Develop corresponding regional work programmes and project portfolios; 
• Support concrete actions and catalyze specific solutions to address the identified and security concerns on the ground.