NATO to discuss environmental security

BRUSSELS, March 11 (UPI) -- NATO officials have announced a forum to bring together top security officials to address evolving environmental security issues.

The NATO Science Forum on Environmental Security is expected to bring together 20 key speakers and environmental security experts along with around 150 experts in attendance Wednesday at NATO headquarters in Brussels. Officials say the evolving threats posed by environmental security issues and ways to resolve problems and mitigate conflict are at the top of the list for discussion, NATO reported.

"This one-day event will kick off with a look at current global security concerns such as issues related to climate change, management of shared water resources and energy security," the release said.

Officials say the NATO forum is an effort to identify environmental security threats and current measures to handle radioactive contamination in Central Asia among other challenges, including Caucasus transboundary water threats and harmonization of seismic codes in Western Balkans.

"To support NATO in identifying future security threats and challenges, the Science Forum will include a horizon scanning session on potential environmental security issues, providing concrete recommendations and proposing tangible projects to contribute to security and stability in the Euro-Atlantic zone," the release said.