We take this opportunity to honour the achievements of women and to highlight this year’s theme urging all of us to ‘think equal, build smart and innovate for change’

This OSCE-led survey sheds light for the first time on the prevalence of violence that women and girls suffer in this part of Europe

We appreciate that the sides have once again recommitted to the Minsk agreements and urge them to take all the necessary measures to ensure that a sustainable and long-lasting ceasefire follows.

Thanks to new technologies human well-being, including longevity, education and affluence have increased over time. On the other hand, technologies are evolving and spreading so quickly through all sorts of platforms that they have often outgrown the control of their creators.

OSCE Chairperson-in-Office Lajčák, in Moldova, said Slovakia attaches great importance to advancing the Settlement Process as part of its focus on preventing and mediating conflicts, and in mitigating their impact on people.

Lajčák said he was shocked by the alarming conditions of people living near the contact line, and called on the sides to step up their efforts for a peaceful political solution to the crisis.

Switzerland aims to bring a new perspective to established and current politico-military issues, said State Secretary of the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, Pascale Baeriswyl.

Preventing and resolving conflicts, a safer future and effective multilateralism to guide Slovakia’s OSCE Chairmanship, Lajčák tells Permanent Council.

Co-operation is not an option, but a necessity.

Moavero Milanesi: We are extremely concerned by the announcement of “elections” due to be held in certain areas of Donetsk and Lugansk on 11 November. Such a decision would run counter to the letter and the spirit of the Minsk agreements.

The fundamental right to suffrage was undermined in places by the disenfranchisement of some groups and the lack of full representation in Congress. Campaign finance rules do not guarantee full transparency, the observers said.