Secretariat

The Secretariat encompasses the following units and departments:

Office of the Secretary General

The role of the Office is to support the tasks of the Secretary General as the OSCE chief manager and administrator. This includes diplomatic liaison, press and public information, legal services, internal auditing, conference and language services, gender issues and contacts with international and non-governmental organizations, and with Mediterranean and other Partners for Co-operation.

Department of Management and Finance

This department is responsible for all administrative and general services within the Secretariat (including conference and language support, documentation and protocol, budgetary and finance issues, information technology) and for all operation support functions within the OSCE field missions.

Department of Human Resources

This department is responsible for personnel policies, mission staffing, training, and also the implementation of the REACT (Rapid Expert Assistance and Co-operation Teams) programme.

Prague Office

The Prague Office of the Secretariat assists with public information projects and houses the OSCE archives. It is open to visiting researchers and also helps to organize meetings held in Prague (e.g. the annual Economic Forum).

Training Section

The Training Section in the Secretariat co-ordinates and supports staff training activities throughout the OSCE, including the induction of new mission members and staff. The section supports participating States in their pre-mission training efforts.

Action against Terrorism Unit (ATU)

The unit co-ordinates assistance to participating States in implementing the 12 International Conventions and Protocols related to the fight against terrorism. It also helps States with drafting legislation and with monitoring the impact of anti-terrorism measures on human rights.

Anti-Trafficking Assistance Unit

The Anti-Trafficking Assistance Unit in the OSCE Secretariat supports the Special Representative to fulfil the mandate.

Conflict Prevention Centre (CPC)

Under the guidance of the Secretary General, the CPC provides support for the Chairman-in-Office and other OSCE negotiating and decision-making bodies in the fields of early warning, conflict prevention, crisis management, and post-conflict rehabilitation.

 Office of the Co-ordinator of OSCE Economic and Environmental Activities

The Co-ordinator of OSCE Economic and Environmental Activities, acting in support of the Chairman-in-Office, is charged with strengthening the ability of the Permanent Council and the OSCE institutions to address economic, social and environmental aspects of security.

External Co-operation

OSCE is an integral part of the web of interlocking institutions that deal with security, human rights, and economic issues in Europe. Co-operation with partner organizations takes place both at the political level and in the field.

Strategic Police Matters Unit (SPMU)

The OSCE's Strategic Police Matters Unit helps to build up police capacity in several countries in South-Eastern Europe and Central Asia.