ENVSEC Network Description

The Environment and Security Initiative (ENVSEC) is a development cooperation initiative, guided by ODA-criteria, bringing together six international institutions (UNEP, UNDP, OCSEC, UNECE, REC and NATO as an associated member) with specialized, but complementary mandates and expertise, that provides an integrated response to environment and security challenges. The goal of ENVSEC is to contribute to the identification and reduction of interlinked environment and security risks through strengthened cooperation among and within countries, in crisis-prone regions.

In order to ensure coordination and exchange of ideas among various entities working in the field of environment and security, the ENVSEC partners (UNEP, UNDP, OCSEC, UNECE, REC and NATO as an associated member) have decided to establish a platform connecting all relevant actors. The Environment and Security Network is a voluntary alliance of various parties, inter- and non-governmental, public and private, working together towards the common goal of addressing (transboundary) interlinked environment and security issues worldwide, with a specific focus on Europe and CIS countries. The Network was officially launched in May 2011 at the ENVSEC Management Board meeting, and will be hosted by the Coordination Unit of the ENVSEC Secretariat at UNEP Regional Office for Europe in Geneva.

The Network aims at : (i) encouraging networking on promoting fresh analysis, ideas and visions on how environment can be a point of interest and cooperation between regions or nations, (ii) raising awareness and understanding of environment and security issues, (iii) sharing information on designing , implementing and evaluating solutions to manage natural resources more effectively and halting environmental degradation that increase the risk of conflict, in a harmonised, aligned and result-oriented way and in line with OECD/DAC guidelines and the principles of the Paris Declaration.

These objectives are achieved through:

• Exchanging new and updated information and knowledge, comparative experiences, lessons learnt and best practices on environment and security risks, needs and related programmes, policies and projects, at local, national, regional and international levels;

•  Hosting meetings, workshops, conferences, symposia and fora discussions on complex topics and emerging issues that shape or impact activities and positions on environment and security;

• Combining the best expertise and experience to jointly implement ENVSEC projects and activities;

• Providing in-kind or financial contributions towards the development of the ENVSEC Initiative and area of work for a safe, sound and sustainable environment.

The Network is open to any government and non-government partners, to research, academic and technical institutions, as well as development banks, foundations, medias and individuals that have an active interest in environment and security issues and agree to work together to meet the goal of the Network.

The Network offers the following services to its members:

• A web-based forum for discussions and exchange of ideas;

• Biannual news and information updates featuring the ENVSEC partnership and its activities, as well as newest ENVSEC and external cutting-edge publications;

• Links to the Network members' websites and announcements of happenings;

• Sharing of best practices and lessons learned;

• Practice workshops, and other training opportunities;

• Joint events where news, developments, environment and security issues and possible activities and remediation actions can be discussed (including an Environment and Security Conference every two years);

• Coordination on design, implementation and evaluation of projects addressing environment and security risks.¹

N.B.: The members of the Network are by no means considered as ENVSEC partners, and are not authorized to take part in the Initiative’s decision mechanisms.

The Coordination Unit of the ENVSEC Secretariat in Geneva facilitates and coordinates the work of the Network through a network facilitator. It examines new applications, establishes the list of participants in the Network as well as the corresponding e-mail distribution list, reviews overall progress/commitment and inform the ENVSEC Management Board accordingly twice a year.

Interested actors should complete and submit the registration form.