News

OSCE High-Level Conference announces the collaboration with the Mountain Partnership

13.07.2023

"The Mountain Partnership (MP) and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) will collaborate in the Shar/Šara Mountains and Korab Massif Area, connecting cultural heritage and traditional design with ethical, contemporary fashion as a powerful catalyst for change", announced Giorgio Grussu, Project Coordinator of the Mountain Partnership Secretariat, unveiling the recent collaboration at the OSCE High-Level Conference on Climate Change.

The collaboration between the MP and OSCE aims to expand the MP’s Fashion for Fragile Ecosystems project into the Shar/Šara Mountains and Korab Massif Area, a recognized OSCE “climate change and security” hotspot, bringing together artisans and international fashion brands to create lasting change through the exchange of skills, traditional knowledge and cultural heritage.

Today, climate change is recognized as one of the greatest risks to peace and security, as it affects people's livelihoods, increases vulnerability and contributes to social instability. Moreover, climate change acts as a multiplier, intensifying existing risks. This is especially true for mountains.

The MP's expertise in promoting gender-sensitive development and building resilience in rural communities aligns with OSCE's initiatives, complementing ongoing efforts in the Shar/Šara Mountains and Korab Massif Area. Spanning over 240 000 hectares, this area represents a biodiversity hotspot in South-Eastern Europe. It supports over 100 000 individuals whose livelihoods depend on its natural resources.

The OSCE High-Level Conference on Climate Change held in Vienna on 7 July 2023, emphasized the importance of strengthening international cooperation to address climate-related challenges and security risks. The conference provided a platform for exchanging experiences, strengthening practical cooperation, and identifying areas for further collaboration among Ministers, climate envoys, political actors, representatives from international organizations and civil society, climate security experts, and practitioners.

Amid significant climate-related risks to peace, security and livelihoods, collaborations like the one between the MP and OSCE demonstrate the importance of cross-sectoral cooperation and innovative solutions in addressing global climate challenges. Collective efforts and transformative actions become essential to safeguard our shared future.

Read more

Photo by OSCE