Cooperation and economic exchange across borders both help to create and preserve peace, stability and prosperity. Business interaction in turn can only flourish in a peaceful and secure environment. In times of crisis, it is especially important to preserve and renew trust and confidence which are the basis of all of this. Business to business and people to people contacts contribute to this end as does cooperation between participating states. The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) is a multilateral forum where private sector and policymakers from all participating states can work together.

A high level business conference planned for 18/19 May 2016 in the Foreign Office in Berlin on the issue of Economic Connectivity will bring together representatives of companies and public institutions of the 57 participating States as well as the OSCE’s 11 partner countries. Participants will have the opportunity to discuss issues of economic connectivity in the OSCE region, establish and deepen international networks and make suggestions to the political work of OSCE bodies.

Facilitating trade, investment, cross-border networks and synergies in the interest of the entire OSCE region will be at the core. This can include discussing barriers and different economic regions in order to foster mutual understanding. New regional initiatives with respect to Central Asia, the Caucasus and the historic Silk Road should also be discussed. The regular May meeting of the OSCE Economic and Environmental Forum will be held immediately after this conference. International institutions will also be invited.

If you are interested in participating please click here.

Please send any inquiries to: connectivity@diplo.de