Forum for Security Co-operation

Terrorist groups acquire weapons that have been illegally manufactured or diverted from the legal market. As these groups are transnational, the co-ordinated efforts of all states are required to combat and prevent terrorism. The Forum was a pioneer in addressing the problem of terrorism by including relevant provisions in its existing documents.

In the aftermath of September 11, 2001, the OSCE has reviewed the applicability of FSC tools to combating terrorism. It subsequently produced a "Road Map", which led to the Experts Meeting on Terrorism in May 2002. The Road Map has also identified the implementation of the Code of Conduct on Politico-Military Aspects of Security and the OSCE Document on Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW) as key tools in the organization's contribution to fighting terrorism.

The 2003 OSCE Strategy to Address Threats to Security and Stability in the Twenty-First Century recognized terrorism as one of the main threats to common security. The document calls on the OSCE to develop measures to prevent terrorists from gaining access to SALW, other conventional weapons, weapons of mass destruction and related technologies.