In line with the its mandate and in consultation with the authorities of the Kyrgyz Republic, the OSCE Centre in Bishkek works in six strategic priority areas:

• Border security and management;
• Rule of law;
• Good governance;
• Legislation;
• Environmental protection;
• Regional co-operation.

Anders Troedsson is currently Acting Head of Centre.

Dialogue and advocacy

The Centre has established and continues to expand good working relations with all sectors of Kyrgyz society nationwide, from central and local government to civil society.

Facilitating contacts

The OSCE Centre in Bishkek facilitates contacts and promotes information exchange with the Chairmanship, other OSCE institutions and the OSCE participating States in Central Asia. The Centre also co-operates with international and local organizations and institutions.

Field presence

In April 2000, the Centre opened a subordinate field office in Osh, which co-ordinates OSCE activities in southern Kyrgyzstan. The Centre is also supported by a resident national staff member in each of the other five provinces: Issyk-Kul, Talas, Jalal-Abad, Batken and Naryn.

Programme management

The Centre delivers over 200 projects in co-ordination with national and international partners. These projects address a wide range of politico-military, economic and environmental and human security issues. In financial terms, the largest projects are in the areas of customs training (begun in autumn 2009), police reform , the OSCE Academy, municipal improvements, labour migration and employment, improving the investment climate, natural disaster preparedness, anti-terrorism, prison reform, human rights promotion and electoral reform.

Further information on mandates, staffing levels and budgets can be found in the annual Survey of OSCE Field Operations.

Strategic priorities

Border management and security

The effective management of Kyrgyzstan's international borders, notably the facilitation of legal and prevention of illegal cross-border movement, is vital to the country's sovereignty, security and prosperity. The OSCE Centre in Bishkek, in co-ordination with its partners, assists the Kyrgyz authorities in developing an integrated and comprehensive long-term approach to border management. Particular attention is paid to cross-border co-operation, customs training, document security and combating terrorism and trafficking in narcotics and human beings.

Rule of law

A relationship of mutual trust and dialogue between state institutions and citizens is a fundamental prerequisite for political and economic stability, the development of democracy and respect for individual human rights. Through its community-based police reform programme, the Centre in Bishkek strives to build such a relationship. The Centre also works to strengthen the independence of the judiciary and the media. Through its prison reform programme, it supports the humanization and good management of the criminal justice system.

Governance

Crucial to democratic development and economic growth are high standards of probity, transparency, reliability and accountability. The Centre in Bishkek, in co-ordination with its partners, combats corruption, organized crime and money laundering and encourages transparent and accountable practices in political and economic life. It thereby hopes to improve the economic investment climate and encourage the growth of small- and medium-sized enterprises.

Legislation

The Centre in Bishkek offers expert advice on legislative and electoral reform, reflecting OSCE commitments and international best practices. It pays particular attention to the process of aligning national legislation with the 2007 Constitution. The Centre also works to increase public understanding of the law.

Environmental priorities

The Centre in Bishkek, in co-ordination with specialized partners, helps the Kyrgyz authorities to address the environmental challenges posed by the legacy of tailings from uranium mining, increase disaster preparedness and improve water and soil conservation and management. The Centre encourages environmentally friendly practices.

Regional co-operation

The Centre in Bishkek supports co-operation among Central Asian States, notably in the areas of conflict prevention, border control, water management, migration, environmental issues and educational exchange, including support for the OSCE Academy in Bishkek. This regional co-operation is underpinned by exchanges among OSCE field presences in Central Asia.