Fields of work

Conflict prevention and resolution

One of the OSCE’s most central functions is that of a key instrument for early warning, conflict prevention and resolution, crisis management and post-conflict rehabilitation—the so-called ‘conflict cycle’.

Decision No. 3/11 on elements of the conflict cycle, related to enhancing the OSCE’s capabilities in early warning, early action, dialogue facilitation and mediation support, and post-conflict rehabilitation
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Decision No. 3/11 on elements of the conflict cycle, related to enhancing the OSCE’s capabilities in early warning, early action, dialogue facilitation and mediation support, and post-conflict rehabilitation

DateDateLocationLocation Summits / Ministerial Councils

Our challenge

Many factors can affect security and stability, often across borders, population segments or the OSCE’s three dimensions.

In the years following the end of the Cold War, starting in the early 1990s, several CSCECSCE
Conference on Security and Co-operation in Europe participating States experienced violent turmoil and conflict, often as a result of, or leading to, the breakup of nations. Preventing such conflicts, or at least resolving them peacefully and managing rehabilitation efforts after them, became a central concern for the participating States, leading to several important decisions and new instruments being drawn up.

In this era of transition, the CSCE is crucial to our efforts to forestall aggression and violence by addressing the root causes of problems and to prevent, manage and settle conflicts peacefully by appropriate means.

Our action

Building on our comprehensive and co-operative approach to security, we work on strategies to tackle the issue head-on.

Our comprehensive approach to security means that we are looking at the entire ‘conflict cycle', from early warning to conflict prevention, crisis management and post-conflict rehabilitation. This work involves many OSCE actors, and consequently, our tasks in this area are manyfold, starting with maintaining an office providing early warning information, to facilitating negotiation and mediation efforts and supporting regional co-operation initiatives.

The OSCE also deals with military confidence- and security-building measures; is involved in high-level talks regarding conflicts within its region; and focuses on national minority issues and the potential for conflict arising from them being marginalized. A specialized court has the mandate to settle disputes between States through conciliation or arbitration.

Mandate

OSCE involvement in conflict-related formats

Transdniestrian settlement process

The so-called ‘5+2’ talks on the Transdniestrian settlement process include representatives of the sides, mediators and observers in the negotiation process: Moldova, Transdniestria, the OSCE, the Russian Federation, Ukraine, the European Union and the United States. A particularly important role is played by the Special Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office for the Transdniestrian Settlement, as well as by the OSCE Mission to Moldova. 

Geneva International Discussions

Established following the 2008 conflict in Georgia, this format is co-chaired by the OSCE together with the United Nations and the European Union. The OSCE co-chair, the Special Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office for the South Caucasus, and the Head of the European Union Monitoring Mission in Georgia co-facilitate the meetings of the Incident Prevention and Response Mechanism, which regularly take place in Ergneti and address matters that affect the daily life of populations in the area.

Our teams

Our institutions, field operations and offices bring to the task expert skills and knowledge to develop tailor-made solutions for each challenge.

Our institutions and offices

The Conflict Prevention Centre within the OSCE Secretariat plays a key role in the Organization’s ‘conflict cycle’ work. It provides policy advice, support and analysis to the Secretary General, Chairpersonship, participating States and field operations, and acts as an OSCE-wide early warning focal point. The High Commissioner on National Minorities strengthens the Organization’s early warning and conflict prevention capabilities by getting involved, at the earliest possible stage, in participating States where inter-ethnic tensions could lead to conflict. The Court of Conciliation and Arbitration is mandated to settle, through conciliation or arbitration, disputes between States that are submitted to it.

Our operations on the ground

Our field operations occupy a special place in the Organization’s conflict cycle toolbox. Several of them cover a broad band of conflict and resolution activities, ranging from facilitating exchanges between political and civic actors to address conflict risks as early as possible; to assisting with dialogue facilitation, mediation and confidence-building activities; and to supporting national crisis response plans.

Projects

Initiatives funded by individual states and organizations

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Events

Upcoming conferences, meetings and training events

Ceremony

Opening of the art exhibition Peace Through Art on both banks of the Dniester/Nistru River, 2025

On 20 November, the OSCE Mission to Moldova will open an art exhibition featuring paintings by the art students from “Alexandru Plamadeala” Republican College of Fine Arts from Chisinau and “Victor Postoikin” Higher Education Art College…
DateDateLocationLocation

Tiraspol Office of the OSCE Mission…
Conference

Stronger Together: Psychosocial Support for Children and Adults in Communities During the War. International Conference

Latest approaches to psychosocial support for children and adults affected by the war will be in focus of the international conference “Strong Together: Psychosocial Support for Children, Adults and Communities in Times of War”, to be held…
DateDateLocationLocation

Kyiv, Ukraine
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