The theme of this year’s forum is sustainable economic recovery. This is a theme set last year when we were still reeling from the devastation caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. At the time, our most pressing issue was to limit and reverse the economic damage done while accelerating the transition to more inclusive, sustainable and resilient forms of economic development and growth. It was about finding a way.
Times have changed.
We face new threats as COVID-19 continues to claim lives and livelihoods, and climate change threatens to undermine hard-won development gains. But this time it was the deliberate action of one participating country.
Russia’s unilateral aggression against Ukraine has become the most pressing security issue in the region. But until Russia is stopped, our collective economy will continue to suffer, especially Ukraine.
Economic dialogue, necessary for economic cooperation and recovery, is a function of political dialogue. But Russia has demonstrated its lack of interest in political dialogue by completely ignoring international norms.
In the face of horrific barbarism and war crimes, the international community has united to condemn the war and impose the largest and toughest economic sanctions Russia has ever faced.
On the British side, we have sanctioned Putin’s corrupt cronies. Frozen Russian State Assets. Block access to UK financial services. Sabotaged the people behind Putin’s disinformation agency, including RT and Sputnik. prevented Russian aircraft from flying or landing in Britain. Banned their ships from our ports. We join others in our collective determination to continue targeting the Russian economy until Ukraine gains the upper hand.
It is clear that Putin did not expect this reaction. He is so accustomed to operating within his own borders with complete impunity that he mistakenly expected the world to turn a blind eye when his army crossed over others.Russian energy exports We now see him attacking with ferocity through his barbaric attempts to weaponize the world and harness energy as an instrument of geopolitical coercion. The dire consequences of this are being felt all over the world, including many of the countries represented here.
To better protect our societies from Russian aggression, we must collectively increase our economic and energy resilience. This includes reducing Russia’s dependence on hydrocarbons. We are committed to the diversification of energy and resources. OCEEA’s work on the protection of energy networks and sustainable energy production is central to these efforts.
Resilience also requires deepening regional ties among peaceful neighbors. Strengthen cooperation on scarce resources such as water. Together we will mitigate the worst impacts of climate change. We welcome OCEEA’s support in promoting bilateral and regional cooperation in these areas.
The Russian war certainly affects us all. But we shouldn’t lose sight of who it affects most. When Ukraine wins and successfully defends itself against this aggressor, its economic recovery can be completed.
The UK promotes immediate investments to drive sustainable and inclusive economic growth. We need to help people returning to Ukraine. We need to give people hope for the future. And we need to provide them with the means to become self-sufficient.
Ukraine has shown itself to be a bastion of freedom and democracy. Countries that believe in the principles of the OSCE now have an obligation to do whatever is necessary to support a sustainable economic recovery. Ukraine’s recovery from Russia’s war of aggression will be a symbol of the power of democracy over dictatorship, the power of freedom over oppression. It will show Putin that his attempt to destroy Ukraine has only produced a stronger, more prosperous and more united country.
Thank you very much.
