Secretariat

The OSCE Secretariat, under the direction of the Secretary General, provides operational support to the Organization. It is based in Vienna, and assisted by the Office in Prague.

The Secretariat houses the following thematic units:

Action against Terrorism Unit

Established in 2002, the OSCE Action against Terrorism Unit (ATU) is the Organization's focal point for co-ordinating and facilitating OSCE initiatives and capacity-building programmes in combating terrorism. The ATU is part of the OSCE Secretariat's Transnational Threats Department (TNT).

Borders Team

The Borders Team promotes common border management standards of the highest possible level across the OSCE area.

Combating Trafficking in Human Beings

The Office of the Special Representative and Co-ordinator for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings supports the development and implementation of anti-trafficking policies in OSCE participating States.

Conflict Prevention Centre

The Conflict Prevention Centre supports the Chairman-in-Office and other OSCE bodies in the fields of early warning, conflict prevention, crisis management and post-conflict rehabilitation. It plays a key role in supporting OSCE field operations.

Economic and Environmental Activities

As part of its comprehensive approach to security, the OSCE is concerned with economic and environmental matters, recognizing that co-operation in these areas can contribute to peace, prosperity and stability.

External Co-operation

The OSCE maintains regular dialogue and co-operation with Mediterranean and Asian Partners for Co-operation, partner organizations such as the UN, EU, CoE and NATO, as well as many other international, regional and sub-regional organizations.

Gender Section

Full and equal exercise by women of their human rights is essential to achieving a more peaceful, secure and democratic OSCE area. The Gender Section assists, promotes and monitors the implementation of the OSCE's commitments on gender equality.

Strategic Police Matters Unit

The SPMU supports policing in all OSCE participating States as part of the rule of law and fundamental democratic principles and, through assessment, expert advice and assistance, develops accountable policing services that protect and aid their citizens.