Ukraine, Climate Cooperation And Violence Against Women: Here Are The OSCE’s Priorities For 2024 As Announced By Ian Borg
Foreign Affairs Minister Ian Borg has just announced the OSCE’s 2024 agenda and priorities, which include the war in Ukraine, violence against women and the climate crisis.
Borg was appointed chair in November last year and today was his formal inauguration. He opened the day by announcing what exactly the world’s biggest regional security organisation, that brings together both the East and the West, will focus on in the upcoming year.
2023 was characterised by the continuation of the war in Ukraine, the start of the destructive Israel-Hamas war, and a resumption of efforts to combat both worldwide inflation as well as a looming climate crisis that has reshaped the international agenda. 2024 will most likely be equally as tumultuous, so as one of the only platforms wherein the East and the West come together negotiate, and discuss, the OSCE will have a lot on its hands.
However, due to the nature in which the organisation is structured, i.e. with the main decisions being made through consensus of all 57 states, the Chairman will have to choose organisation’s the focal issues strategically, ensuring that not every discussion will end in a deadlock.
So, without further ado, these are the OSCE’s 2024 priorities:
1. Ukraine
The first thing on the agenda is aiding in ending Russia’s aggression in Ukraine. Borg announced that he will be visiting Kyiv next week as a show of solidarity and support and reiterated his, as well as the organisation’s complete condemnation of Russia’s war in Ukraine.
He further commended the work of the Support Programme for Ukraine’s team and pledged support for more engagement, and called for the release of three illegally detained staff members of the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission.
He urged for Russia; ‘s complete withdrawal saying “This war must end.”
2. Conflicts in the region
Borg announced that the Maltese Chairmanship will prioritise the OSCE’s role in helping to resolve the protracted conflicts across the OSCE region, preventing escalation, and restoring stability.
He specifically referenced the Transdniestrian Settlement Process in particular – and the South Caucasus.
He further committed to providing support to field operations in Eastern Europe, South Eastern Europe, and Central Asia.
3. Functionality, leadership, and budget
“Another overarching priority of Malta’s Chairpersonship is to ensure the OSCE’s functionality and find solutions for its leadership. “
While the Ministerial in Skopje provided a “glimmer of hope” the OSCE is not “out of the woods”.
Malta is ready to serve as a bridge between Skopje and Helsinki, he said.
No organisation can function without a budget and leadership, Borg exclaimed. The OSCE relies on the contribution of all participating states to give the organisation the “foundations it needs for a secure and resilient future”.
So, the OSCE Permanent Council is prioritising a consensus on a solid unified budget.
The organisation will then work to ensure that it and its four institutions have “predictable and durable leadership beyond 4th September 2024”.
4. Gender and youth
The Maltese Chairpersonship is dedicated to incorporating an inclusive approach to security by mainstreaming gender and increasing the engagement of youth.
Therefore, it (the chairpersonship) will also build on Malta’s diplomacy in New York on the Women, Peace, and Security agenda.
“We will also renew the OSCE’s efforts to strengthen resilience against cyber threats, address transnational threats, and promote compliance with conventional arms control commitments.”
5. Technology, equality, and climate change
“The security of our people is inextricably tied to their economic prosperity and the environment in which they live.”
So, the chair will work to bridge digital divides and promoting wider access to digital technologies and skills.
It will also pursue closer cooperation on climate resilience, adaptation, and mitigation as well as on combating corruption and enhancing food security.
6. Democracy
Borg called for all participating nations to invite the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) to observe their elections to ensure that democratic standards are being upheld.
In this branch, Malta’s Chairpersonship will push nitiatives on media literacy and the safety of journalists, particularly female journalists, both online and offline. We will also actively engage in efforts to combat violence against women and trafficking in human beings.
7. Mediterranean security
Borg reminded attendees that there is no European security without Mediterranean security – a principle enshrined in the Final Act’s Mediterranean Chapter and was later extended to Asia.
Malta seeks to honour and sustain this strategic vision by hosting the Mediterranean Conference.
Borg ended his address by admitting the limitations of the institution and Malta yet instilling hope and maintaining their importance.
“Throughout this time, we have always sought to meaningfully engage in finding solutions to challenges affecting the global community of nations. While we approach our Chairpersonship with this attitude, we humbly recognise that it will not be enough.”
“In the words of Martin Luther King Jr, ‘If you can’t fly then run, if you can’t run then walk, if you can’t walk then crawl, but whatever you do, you have to keep moving forward.’”
Featured image credit: MFET
Lovin Malta is currently in Vienna reporting on the formal inauguration of the Maltese Chairperson of the OSCE’s Permanent Council.
What do you make of these priorities?
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