Who we are

The 2000s

Less than three months after the attacks of 11 September 2001, US Secretary of State Colin Powell addressed the issue of terrorism at the OSCE Ministerial Council in Bucharest. (Mark Sarfati/OSCE)
Less than three months after the attacks of 11 September 2001, US Secretary of State Colin Powell addressed the issue of terrorism at the OSCE Ministerial Council in Bucharest. (Mark Sarfati/OSCE)

As the new millennium began, the OSCE had reason to be optimistic: its conflict prevention and resolution measures had proven largely successful, bringing peace and stability to most of Europe.

However, the terrorist attacks of 11 September 2001 in the United States (and subsequently in other nations) showed that the world was now facing security problems that were different and more complex than ever before.

As the decade progressed, there were renewed calls for OSCE reform. The Organization's renowned flexibility and adaptability in meeting global security challenges will enable it to continue doing so in the twenty-first century.

Ninth Ministerial Council, Bucharest

3-4 December 2001: Meeting in Bucharest, the Ministerial Council condemns the terrorist attacks of 11 September 2001 against the United States and agrees on the Bucharest Plan of Action for Combating Terrorism.

Charter on Preventing Terrorism adopted

6-7 December 2002: The OSCE Charter on Preventing and Combating Terrorism is adopted by the Ministerial Council at its Meeting in Porto in response to the changing nature of the threats to security.

Strategy to Address Threats to Security

1-2 December 2003: At its annual meeting in Maastricht, the Ministerial Council adopts the OSCE Strategy to Address Threats to Security and Stability in the Twenty-First Century.

Panel of Eminent Persons Report

27 June 2005: The Panel of Eminent Persons appointed to review the work of the OSCE and advise on its future presents its final report, entitled Common Purpose: Towards a More Effective OSCE, to the Chairman-in-Office.

Launch of the Corfu Process

27-28 June 2009: Following the August 2008 conflict between Georgia and Russia, the "Corfu Process" is launched in June 2009 at an informal meeting of OSCE foreign ministers on the Greek island of Corfu. It aims to restore confidence and take forward dialogue on wider European security.