Secretariat - Conflict Prevention Centre

Policy Support Service

The Policy Support Service (PSS) consists of four regional desks, one for each OSCE region of field operations: the Caucasus, Central Asia, South-Eastern Europe and Eastern-Europe. It is staffed by a Head, 14 Policy Support Officers and 2 Policy Support Assistants. The PSS is the primary point of co-ordination between the 19 OSCE Field Operations, the Secretariat and the OSCE Chairmanship, ensuring a regular information flow between the headquarters and the field. The PSS constantly monitors the political developments in mission areas.

The Service is also responsible for the timely publication of mission reports to all OSCE participating States, as well as for issuing early warning signals emerging from developments in mission areas to the Chairmanship and delegations. Acting as regional experts, the Policy Support Officers play a key role in providing advice, under the political guidance of the Chair, to field operations on programmatic, policy and management issues. They also assist the Chairman-in Office and other OSCE officials in the preparations of their visits to the field.

Situation Room

The Situation/Communication Room (SitRoom) provides a 24 hours service seven days a week to the Organization. The team of duty officers is the vital point of contact for the Organization to its field operations outside working hours. The SitRoom also ensures timely dissemination of information during times of crisis, it supports the medical evacuation process when necessary, and delivers an early warning function to the Secretary General through its constant monitoring of media outlets.

Regional Co-operation

In order to stimulate regional co-operation, the CPC organizes and conducts a number of programmes and activities in mission areas and at headquarters in close co-ordination with other international and regional organizations. Areas of interaction include border security and management, education, regional seminars on Small Arms and Light Weapons, the issue of returns in South-East Europe, as well as war crime issues.