Forum for Security Co-operation Support Section

The primary task of this Section is to support the Forum for Security Co-operation (FSC), an autonomous OSCE decision-making body dealing with politico-military aspects of security. The Forum's work focuses on the implementation of confidence- and security-building measures (CSBMs), information exchange and verification mechanisms elaborated in the Vienna Document 1999.

The FSC Support Section compiles databases of information exchanged by participating States as part of their commitments under politico-military documents. The Section also fosters the implementation of these agreements, especially the Vienna Document 1999, the Code of Conduct on Politico-Military Aspects of Security, the OSCE Document on Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW) and the OSCE Document on Stockpiles of Conventional Ammunition (SCA).

OSCE Communications Network

One commitment of the Vienna Document is the OSCE Communications Network. This network links capitals of participating States to foster timely information exchange and implementation of CSBM and other military treaties. The FSC Support Section administers the network, which is accessible and operational through a secure environment around the clock, seven days a week. It also chairs the OSCE Communications Group, through which experts from OSCE delegations exercise technical oversight, meeting several times annually in Vienna.

Project Activities

Finally, the Section develops projects in the politico-military dimension and co-operates with OSCE field operations and other relevant international organizations to help individual participating States implement their politico-military commitments.

The Section provides training and organizes conferences and workshops to facilitate the full implementation of commitments in the Vienna Document 1999, the Document on SALW, the Document on SCA and the Code of Conduct on Politico-Military Aspects of Security.

In addition, the Section actively assists the FSC in responding to requests of participating States which require support in the reduction of SALW, destruction of surplus stockpiles of conventional ammunition, including the rocket fuel component Melange, and in upgrading stockpile management and security.