Best practice examples and perspectives on Security sector governance and reform in OSCE context explored at Vienna meeting

VIENNA, 20 March 2019 – Best practice examples of and perspectives on Security sector governance and reform (SSG/R) -  a priority theme for both Slovakia’s 2019 OSCE Chairmanship and the Swiss Chairmanship of the FSC – was discussed at today’s joint meeting of the OSCE Forum for Security Co-operation (FSC) and the Permanent Council in Vienna.

The meeting, which was organized by both Chairmanships, builds on the OSCE’s long track record in supporting its participating States in this area. Furthermore, SSG/R is highly relevant in strengthening global security and in enabling sustainable development, in particular in the implementation of Goal 16 of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, on peaceful and inclusive societies, access to justice and effective, accountable and inclusive institutions.

“Security sector governance and reform is critically important to the maintenance of peace and security and the prevention of conflict,” said Miroslav Jenča, UN Assistant Secretary-General for Europe, Central Asia and the Americas, and the Departments for Political & Peacebuilding Affairs and Peace Operations. “The United Nations, with its reformed and reinvigorated Peace and Security pillar, is committed to continuing the joint work and co-ordination with Member States and regional organizations, including the OSCE. Together, we multiply each other’s strengths and can advance the broad prevention and sustaining peace agenda.” 

Following Jenča’s address, OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Uzbekistan John MacGregor presented his office’s SSG/R-related work on the ground. He pointed to several positive examples of collaboration adding that OSCE field operations had the potential to do more once there was agreement among participating States on the concept of SSG/R.

“I am confident that having such consensus will allow us to do more in this field and equip us – the field operations – with more arguments in our deliberations with host authorities on the necessity to advance the implementation of the SSG/R concept,” he said. “In addition, it will allow us to attract more financial resources to support the host countries’ SSG/R processes. Finally, it will be easier to agree on a set of guiding principles on how to best provide support to these processes, which could then be used in our daily work.”

OSCE Secretary General Thomas Greminger, presenting his report on the OSCE’s approach to SSG/R, added: “An effective and responsive security sector is fundamental to dealing with today's complex and interdependent security challenges. A comprehensive response can only benefit from a well-functioning and well-governed security sector that is gender-responsive and demonstrates respect for human rights.”

His report, the first of its kind developed by the OSCE, provides recommendations to participating States and the OSCE’s executive structures on how to enhance SSG/R in the OSCE region. Among the key recommendations are strengthening SSG/R capacities in all the OSCE’s executive structures so as to meet the demand for support from participating States; better mainstreaming SSG/R into the Organization’s programmatic work; and for all states to engage collectively on developing a common understanding of SSG/R.

“A common understanding of SSG/R builds the fundament to ensure that our support to participating States is provided in the most effective and efficient way,” said Greminger. “With a more strategic approach to SSG/R, we can achieve significant synergies through strong collaboration among our executive structures and departments, and by strengthening our partnerships, above all with the UN but also with other international and regional organizations.”

The OSCE Secretary General’s report, The OSCE Approach to Security Sector Governance and Reform, is available at www.osce.org/secretary-general/414725