Charming town by a river at dusk, with a bridge, rooftops, and a church spire under a colorful sky.

Switzerland

Switzerland was a founding signatory of the 1975 Helsinki Final Act and a participant in the 1973 CSCE negotiations. Switzerland held the Chairpersonship of the Organization in 1996 and 2014, and will Chair the OSCE in 2026. It is represented by a Permanent Delegation to the OSCE and to the Parliamentary Assembly.

Quick facts

Capital

Bern

Participating since

1973

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Delegation of Switzerland to the OSCE

Delegation to the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly

Delegation to the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly

Highlights

Country

Switzerland – OSCE Chairpersonship 2026

Programme, priorities and updates from the Chairpersonship
The photo shows a modern glass building reflecting a blue sky, a shiny canopy, and a train station with tracks and a red train in the background. The scene feels open and contemporary.
Page

Court of Conciliation and Arbitration

The Court provides flexible mechanisms for the peaceful resolution of inter-State disputes.
Our people

Ignazio Cassis

2026 OSCE Chairman-in-Office
Our people

Didier Burkhalter

2014 OSCE Chairperson-in-Office
Our people

Thomas Greminger

The sixth Secretary General

Statements and speeches

From the delegation of Switzerland to the OSCE

Access statements and speeches delivered during the Permanent Council and the Forum for Security Co-operation.

Statements and speeches

Elections

Election observation

Visit the election calendar to learn more about ODIHR election activities in Switzerland. Upcoming election dates are tentative and may be subject to change.

Elections calendar

OSCE Chair

Every year, the political leadership of the OSCE rotates among the Organization's participating States. The country taking over the OSCE Chair co-ordinates activities and provides political direction throughout that year. 

2014

Access decisions adopted during the country’s term as OSCE Chair.

Decisions

1996

Access decisions adopted during the country’s term as OSCE Chair.

Decisions

Projects

Supported through voluntary contributions by Switzerland

Projects

Contact

Permanent Mission of Switzerland to the OSCE

Permanent Mission of Switzerland to the OSCE

Wächtergasse 1
1010 Vienna
Austria

Email: vim.osze@eda.admin.ch
Phone: +43 1 505 89 25
Fax: +43 1 263 34 13