“Foreign Minister Ian Borg Urges Multilateral Action on Climate Change at OSCE Conference”

Multilateral engagement in tackling the impacts of climate change is crucial, according to Foreign Minister Ian Borg, who emphasized the importance of addressing the issue during the second preparatory meeting of the OSCE Economic and Environmental Forum in Malta on Thursday.

Minister Borg highlighted the increasing climatic shifts and the red flags raised by science, calling on policy and decision-makers to approach the issue with utmost seriousness and responsibility. He stressed that no country is immune to climate change and that collective action is necessary to combat its effects.

The conference in Malta brought together delegations from the OSCE’s 57 participating States, setting the stage for the final meeting of the OSCE Economic and Environmental Forum in September in Prague. The theme of the Forum, “Enhancing security and stability in the OSCE region through digital innovation, contributing to sustainable development and climate adaptation,” underscores the importance of addressing climate change for the security and stability of the region.

Minister Borg also addressed the ongoing Russian war of aggression in Ukraine, noting that the conflict not only causes immediate destruction but also hinders efforts to address environmental and economic threats, including climate change. As a small island state in the Mediterranean, Malta is particularly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, which are felt by other parts of the OSCE area as well.

Malta’s Chairpersonship of the OSCE in 2024 has prioritized climate change as a key issue, aiming to strengthen engagement among the organization and its participating States in finding innovative solutions to the challenges posed by climate change. Minister Borg emphasized that it is everyone’s moral and legal obligation to contribute to a sustainable future.

Malta assumed its 12-month Chairpersonship of the OSCE in January under the theme “Strengthening Resilience, Enhancing Security,” after being unanimously elected to lead the organization for the first time in its history in November 2023. The country’s leadership in addressing climate change and promoting multilateral cooperation on environmental issues demonstrates its commitment to building a more secure and sustainable future for all.