Open Skies Consultative Commission

The Open Skies Treaty, in force since 2002, establishes a framework of unarmed aerial observation flights over the entire territory of its signatories. It was designed to enhance mutual understanding and confidence by giving all participants, regardless of size, the possibility to obtain information on military or other activities of concern to them. The Treaty is the most wide-ranging international effort to promote openness and transparency of military forces and their activities.

The main functions of the Open Skies Consultative Commission, which convenes in monthly plenary meetings, are to:

• consider questions relating to compliance with the Treaty;
• seek to resolve ambiguities and differences of interpretation emerging during Treaty implementation;
• consider and decide on applications for accession to the Treaty; and
• review the distribution of flight quotas annually.

The Commission members meet at OSCE headquarters in Vienna. In addition to the plenary meetings, the Commission has several informal expert working groups that discuss technical issues related to sensors, notification formats, aircraft certification, and rules and procedures.

The Open Skies Consultative Commission was established by Article X and Annex L of the Treaty and has been in session since the Treaty was signed in March 1992. It takes decisions by consensus and has adopted more than 90 since its creation. Decisions taken by the Commission enter into force with the Treaty and have the same duration as the Treaty.