The HLPG was established on 20 December 1994 with an open-ended mandate issued on 23 March 1995.

The High-Level Planning Group (HLPG) is mandated to make recommendations to the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office (CiO) on developing a plan for the establishment, force structure requirements and operation of a multinational OSCE peacekeeping force for the area of conflict dealt with by the OSCE Minsk Conference.

The Chairperson-in-Office, Irish Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade Eamon Gilmore, has appointed Col. William Harrington as Head of the OSCE High-Level Planning Group for the period from 1 January until 31 December 2012.

The HLPG is located in Vienna. It is composed of eight officers seconded by OSCE participating States, and one fixed-term contracted staff member.

Approved budget 2012 (Permanent Council Decision 1028): €245,100