Southern Mediterranean - Institute for Environmental Security

The Mediterranean Region has been identified as one of the most vulnerable areas in terms of environment and security linkages. Due to its climatic and topographic features, as well as the cross-boundary dimension of the Mediterranean Basin, intermixed with cultural, political and economic diversity, the region represents an area that poses potential for social and political instability, with repercussions that also affect European countries.

The IES assisted with the facilitation of a Participatory Workshop on Environment and Security Issues in the Southern Mediterranean Region held in Amman, Jordan, 18-22 June 2012. The event was organised by the Office of the Co-ordinator of OSCE Economic and Environmental Activities in cooperation with the Permanent Mission of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan to the United Nations and other International Organizations.

The focus of the workshop was on the Southern Mediterranean region and in particular on the OSCE Mediterranean partners for Co-operation: Algeria, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Morocco and Tunisia.

Key issues explored included:

Region in Focus - Main Environment and Security challenges
Water Scarcity and Land Degradation - Identifying the causes and looking for solutions
Environmental implications of Climate Change
Environmental implications of Energy and Security
The role of the Civil Society

The workshop was organised also in follow up to the MEDSEC initiative launched in Barcelona in 2009 by the OSCE in cooperation with the Center for International Relations and Development Studies (Fundacio CIDOB) and the Barcelona International Peace Resource Center (BIPRC), UNEP GRID-Arendal and the Zoi Environment Network.

For more information about the MEDSEC initiative, the report of the Barcelona workshop and maps covering specific issues (Agriculture, Desertification, Migration, Population, Resources, Climate Change and Water) view the publication: Environment and Security Risks in the Southern Mediterranean Region , published 20 March 2011.