OSCE Informal Ministerial Gathering

On 9 July 2019, at the invitation of the Slovak OSCE Chairmanship, the ministers of foreign affairs and other high-level representatives of the OSCE’s 57 participating States will attend an informal ministerial gathering in the High Tatras.

In light of the rapidly changing security landscape in Europe and beyond, the need for innovative co-operation is greater than ever. The Slovak Chairmanship therefore sees the informal ministerial gathering as a way to spark genuine high-level political dialogue and generate ideas to guide the OSCE’s work as a platform for co-operation in the months and years ahead. The Chairperson-in-Office, Slovakia’s Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Miroslav Lajčák, will host and moderate the plenary discussion.

The event will allow delegations to take stock of past decisions and actions, particularly with regard to ongoing security challenges, and to discuss current issues on the OSCE’s agenda: efforts to resolve the conflict in and around Ukraine and protracted conflicts; transnational threats; the need to promote a comprehensive approach to security, including with respect to human dimension commitments, rule of law, good governance, and economic and environmental aspects of security; and finding innovative ways to address contemporary security challenges stemming from new technologies, climate change, migratory movements, and evolving political and societal paradigms, among other trends.

Conflict prevention, the bedrock of this Organization from its inception, will be the primary substantive focus of the discussions. In order to follow through on its commitments, the OSCE must be able to detect and respond to warning lights when they begin to flash. Participants of the informal ministerial will be encouraged not only to assess the current tools for early warning (from those based in Vienna, for example, the Structured Dialogue or discussions in the Permanent Council, to field-based activities, such as monitoring or mediation), but also to engage in an exchange of creative ideas for new opportunities in light of new trends on the horizon.

Ministers will also reflect on how the OSCE complements other international and regional partners working for security and stability - from the United Nations to the Council of Europe.  They will engage in a reflective analysis of the strengths and unique assets of the OSCE within the wider multilateral framework.

Photos are available on MFA Slovakia Flickr's account