Secretariat - Conflict Prevention Centre

With direct support to field operations through regional desks and strong expertise in the first dimension, the politico-military dimension, the Conflict Prevention Centre (CPC) is a unique model of successful interaction between thematic and geographical units.

The Centre provides direct support to all OSCE field operations, helping them fulfil their tasks in the fields of early warning, conflict prevention, crisis management and post-conflict rehabilitation. Moreover, its liaison function between OSCE field operations and the main OSCE negotiating bodies guarantees the full implementation and execution of the Organization's political decisions. It also co-ordinates all activities in mission areas carried out with other OSCE Institutions and relevant international and sub-regional organizations.

The Centre also assists the OSCE Chairmanship, the Permanent Council and the Forum for Security Co-operation in implementing OSCE tasks within the first OSCE dimension. More specifically, it provides a wide range and depth of support to the FSC Chairmanship and Troika, and supports, among other things, the implementation of major OSCE politico-military documents, treaties, and political commitments, as well as projects in the politico-military dimension. The Centre also facilitates and ensures direct communication between capitals through the OSCE Communication Network, and supports participating States in implementing Confidence- and Security-Building Measures (CSBMs) as agreed in the Vienna Document 1999.

Aside from its prominent role and expertise in the first dimension, the CPC is also involved in a number of cross-cutting activities and projects, such as education, border security and management, as well as security related issues in the OSCE Partner States and their adjacent regions.

The CPC also organizes and supports seminars and workshops, and assists the Chairmanship in carrying out the Annual Security Review Conference. At the request of participating States, it also provides delegations with background documents and supports a number of Working Groups on matters within its competence.