In the half-century since the Helsinki Final Act was adopted, the OSCE area has rarely faced a more precarious moment than it does today. The stability we once took for granted is being eroded by a convergence of unprecedented challenges: the Russian Federation’s war of aggression against Ukraine, a spiralling climate crisis, and a technological race that threatens to outpace our democratic safeguards. We are witnessing a dangerous shift back toward a world of “spheres of interest,” where the rights of people are overshadowed by the power projections of neighbouring states.
If we are to navigate this era of unpredictability, we must ask what role the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe will play. Our path forward requires more than just maintaining the status quo; it demands a bold renewal of our commitment to shared principles and a comprehensive approach to security that bridges economic affairs, environmental concerns, and human rights.
The most immediate challenge is the restoration of sovereignty and stability in Ukraine. Reconstruction must go beyond security guarantees; it requires a co-ordinated international effort to rebuild energy systems, transport networks, and critical infrastructure decimated by war. Supporting Ukraine’s economic recovery and its integration into European structures is not just a moral duty — it is a strategic necessity for regional stability.
However, the repercussions of conflict are rarely contained within a single region. Recent crises in the Middle East have demonstrated how instability triggers supply chain disruptions and spikes in energy prices that impact every citizen in the OSCE area. In an era of geoeconomic rivalry, economic tools like trade restrictions and energy leverage are increasingly being weaponized to advance strategic goals. We must resist this fragmentation and double down on a rules-based trading system grounded in transparency and mutual progress.
Perhaps the most existential threat we face is environmental degradation. The past decade was the hottest on record, yet our collective climate pledges still fall short of what is required to prevent catastrophic warming. Combating climate change is not an ideological choice; it is a matter of responsibility and survival.
We must reframe our climate agenda as a security agenda. Environmental disasters have already caused 250 million internal displacements over the last decade, driving further conflict and vulnerability. Our response must be two-fold: we must rapidly replace fossil fuels with clean energy while prioritizing human-centered adaptation measures to protect the most vulnerable populations. Whether it is protecting our oceans through a moratorium on deep-sea mining or ensuring water resilience in the face of prolonged droughts, the OSCE must be at the forefront of ecological diplomacy.
As we look to the future, the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence presents a dual reality of immense opportunity and severe risk. While AI can drive productivity in health care and energy efficiency, it also poses threats ranging from large-scale disinformation to the erosion of human control over autonomous systems.
We cannot afford to let technology develop in a vacuum. We must establish enforceable “red lines” for advanced AI systems to prevent global dangers. Furthermore, we must address the rising energy demands of data centers, ensuring these technological hubs provide tangible benefits to local communities rather than just straining resources. Education is our strongest defence; by investing in digital literacy, we empower the next generation to be responsible agents of digital transformation.
Ultimately, our security is only as strong as our institutions. Weak governance undermines economic development and social cohesion. Today, many of our citizens — particularly the young and the middle class — are feeling the weight of a housing crisis that has seen home prices in some areas rise by over 60 per cent. When citizens cannot afford a place to live, trust in democratic governance wavers.
The success of our development must be measured by the expansion of human freedoms. This requires an OSCE that is not only visible and effective but also adequately funded. Despite the recent adoption of a unified budget, the Organization commands roughly 30 per cent less in real resources than it did five years ago. This erosion of capacity must be reversed if we are to meet the geopolitical demands of our time.
When the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly gathers in The Hague from 4 to 8 July for our 33rd Annual Session, these matters will be brought to the forefront of the international community’s attention. In our general committees and plenary sessions, we will debate these issues and work to ensure the adoption of a strong Final Declaration that centers the needs of our citizens, including in the economic and environmental dimension, so that the coming years are an era of peace, prosperity, and stability.
The OSCE was built to be a bridge-builder between unlikely partners. By treasuring our comprehensive approach to security and doubling down on regional co-operation, we can create a more united and ambitious Organization. The challenges of the 21st century — from the battlefields of Ukraine to the warming of our planet — demand that we remain open to trade, ideas, and scientific progress. Our very survival depends on our ability to return to these shared principles.
Paula Cardoso
A Member of Parliament from Portugal, rapporteur for the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly’s General Committee on Economic Affairs, Science, Technology and Environment.
