Structures and institutions

Secretariat

The image showcases a modern courtyard enclosed by a glass-fronted building. The perspective is from inside a classical-style room, framed by marble columns and an arched ceiling, looking out through glass doors. The courtyard features a minimalist design with a white gravel surface, a small wooden deck area, and greenery, including bamboo plants. The building’s exterior is made up of large glass panels, creating a sleek and contemporary contrast to the classical interior elements.

Located in Vienna, the OSCE Secretariat assists the Chairpersonship and ensures that the Organization receives the necessary operational and administrative support.

The image showcases a modern courtyard enclosed by a glass-fronted building. The perspective is from inside a classical-style room, framed by marble columns and an arched ceiling, looking out through glass doors. The courtyard features a minimalist design with a white gravel surface, a small wooden deck area, and greenery, including bamboo plants. The building’s exterior is made up of large glass panels, creating a sleek and contemporary contrast to the classical interior elements.

Overview

The OSCE Secretariat is headed by the Secretary General and includes both administrative and programmatic departments. It also comprises the OSCE Documentation Centre in Prague.

The Secretariat’s programmatic offices deal with conflict prevention, economic and environmental activities, co-operation with partner countries and organizations, gender equality, anti-trafficking and transnational threats, including anti-terrorism, border management and police reform. They monitor trends, provide expert analysis and implement projects in the field.

The administrative functions of the Secretariat focus on supporting the OSCE’s field operations, maintaining contact with other international and non-governmental organizations, and delivering conference, language, administrative, financial, personnel and information technology services.

Leadership

The Secretary General leads both the administrative and programmatic work of the Secretariat, with support from senior leadership and the directors of the administrative and programmatic offices.

Our people

Feridun H. Sinirlioğlu

OSCE Secretary General

This is an image of a flag bearing the logo of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE). The OSCE logo features the acronym "OSCE" written in white letters within blue squares, arranged horizontally. The flag itself is white, and it is seen waving against a soft, cloudy blue sky in the background. The logo is a prominent element, signifying the organization's identity.
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Leadership

The OSCE’s senior leadership

The Secretariat in pictures

Since 2007, the OSCE Secretariat has resided in the heart of Vienna in the historic Palais Palffy-Erdody, which was built in 1809–13 for the Hungarian aristocrat Johann Graf Pálffy von Erdödy.

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  • The image shows a spacious hall with classical architectural elements. The room features large, evenly spaced stone columns supporting a series of vaulted ceilings. The floor is made of warm-toned wood, contrasting with the white walls and ceilings. The lighting is soft and warm, enhancing the historical ambiance of the space.

    Former Horse Stables: The entire building was refurbished in 2007, including the old stables which now house staff offices (Ablinger, Verdal & Partner, 2007).

    © OSCE Photo details

  • The image showcases a modern courtyard enclosed by a glass-fronted building. The perspective is from inside a classical-style room, framed by marble columns and an arched ceiling, looking out through glass doors. The courtyard features a minimalist design with a white gravel surface, a small wooden deck area, and greenery, including bamboo plants. The building’s exterior is made up of large glass panels, creating a sleek and contemporary contrast to the classical interior elements.

    Courtyard II: The ground-floor entrance to the Courtyard displays the building’s blend of traditional and contemporary (Ablinger, Verdal & Partner, 2007).

    © OSCE Photo details

  • The image shows an elegant, historical interior. The room features intricate parquet flooring with a geometric pattern, ornate wall paneling in cream and gold, and rich red damask wallpaper. Large mirrors and windows reflect light, enhancing the sense of space. A decorative urn on a pedestal adds a classical touch. The open doorways lead to similarly adorned rooms, creating depth and continuity in the architectural design.

    Festsaal: The Secretary General's office still features the original 18th-century Lyon silk tapestry (BDA, 2007).

    © OSCE Photo details

  • The image showcases an interior with a marble statue of a classical female figure placed in a recessed alcove. The statue is draped in flowing garments, holding an object in one hand, and wearing a crown or decorative headpiece. The background consists of polished marble walls with gold-trimmed accents. In the foreground, a decorative black wrought iron railing with gold embellishments follows the curve of a staircase.

    Statues: The statues lining the marble stairwell are the originals placed there by Rafael von Rigel in the 1810s (OSCE, 2017).

    © OSCE Photo details

  • The black-and-white photo captures a historic Vienna street, where the OSCE Secretariat is located now. It features cobblestone roads, elegant multi-story buildings, and a façade with arched windows and decorative reliefs. A shop sign is visible, along with vintage cars and blurred pedestrians. The curved street adds depth, and the dark vignette suggests an old-fashioned camera.

    Palais Pálffy-Erdody: The secretariat was originally commissioned as a palace to the noble Pálffy family before becoming a bank.

    © OSCE Photo details

  • Courtyard I: The ground floor courtyard once held a vault and storage for the Austrian-Anglo Bank (Ablinger, Verdal & Partner, 2007).

    © OSCE Photo details

  • Façade: Charles de Moreau’s French classicist style façade is one of a few in Vienna (Ablinger, Verdal & Partner, 2007)

    © OSCE Photo details

  • Interior: There are 166 offices spread over 5 levels and 8 meeting rooms.

    © OSCE Photo details

  • Courtyard III: The Secretariat runs on 100% renewable energy, supporting a broader effort to promote sustainable energy across the OSCE region.

    © OSCE Photo details

Offices

Programmatic and administrative support to deliver on the OSCE’s mandate

Programmatic support

Administrative support

Archives and records management

Contacts

OSCE Secretariat

Wallnerstrasse 6
A-1010 Vienna
Austria

Phone: +43 1 514 36 6000

OSCE Documentation Centre in Prague

OSCE Documentation Centre in Prague

Náměstí Borise Němcova 529/2
160 00 Prague
Czechia

Email: quest@osce.org
Phone: +420 224 186 450 +420 224 186 445
Fax: +420 224 186 440
All contacts