Forum for Security Co-operation

The Forum’s work

The Forum provides a space for dialogue on the OSCE’s politico-military agreements. It fosters discussions on confidence- and security-building, the democratic control of security forces and non-proliferation issues, among other issues.

This content is available in: English, Українська Factsheet

Factsheet of the OSCE Forum for Security Co-operation

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Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe

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Plenary Meetings Decision-making

Arms control

Military transparency, predictability and co-operation

The Forum plays a central role in implementing the participating States' arms control commitments. These commitments are enshrined in one of the Organization’s most important politico-military documents: the Vienna Document. The Vienna Document comprises a set of fundamental confidence- and security-building measures that require the OSCE participating States to regularly exchange military information, such as data on major weapons systems and defence planning, and provide for mutual verification and observation visits.

The OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine on 28 March 2018 re-introduced the use of long-range unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), which will operate over the Donetsk and Luhansk regions.

Non-proliferation issues

Preventing the proliferation of weapons and ammunition

The OSCE helps implement United Nations Security Council resolution 1540 on the non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and supports its participating States in their control of small arms and light weapons and stockpiles of conventional ammunition. 

Close-up image of various firearms and ammunition placed on a camouflage-patterned surface.

Better regulations for small arms and ammunition

Governing inter- and intra-State relations

Responsible and co-operative security

The OSCE dialogue, builds confidence through measures like arms control and security-building, and works on conflict prevention and resolution for both international and internal conflicts.

Commander of the Swiss Air Force, Lieutenant General Aldo C. Schellenberg, speaking at a commemorative event at the Military History Museum of the Austrian Armed Forces to mark 20 years of the OSCE Code of Conduct on Politico-Military Aspects of Security, Vienna, 8 July 2014.

Cross-cutting issues

Promoting and supporting the women, peace and security agenda

The OSCE is committed to promoting and supporting the implementation of the United Nations Security Council Resolutions on women, peace and security in the OSCE region. The Organization stresses the need to engage women and men in conflict prevention, crisis management and post-conflict rehabilitation.

Events

Events related to the Forum's work

Teaser image: OSCE Scholarship for Peace and Security
Event Series

Scholarship for Peace and Security in the OSCE area

Annual educational course on conflict prevention and resolution for young professionals

Resources

Official OSCE documents, publications, guidelines and other resource material

Code of Conduct on Politico-Military Aspects of Security
This content is available in: Shqip, العربية, Հայերեն, Bosanski, English, Français, Deutsch, Italiano, Montenegrin, Portoguese, Русский, Српски, Español, Українська Treaty / agreement

Code of Conduct on Politico-Military Aspects of Security

DateDateLocationLocation

Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe
Vienna Document 2011
This content is available in: English, Français, Deutsch, Italiano, Русский, Español Conference / meeting document

Vienna Document 2011

DateDateLocationLocation

Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe
Guide / manual / handbook

Consolidated References to the OSCE Forum for Security Co-operation Mandates

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Collection

Published Military Information Exchange Collections

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All resources

Implementation and assistance

The Forum for Security Co-operation is supported in its work by the Conflict Prevention Centre in the OSCE Secretariat.

Conflict Prevention Centre

OSCE in action

The Organization’s work and teams in related fields

The OSCE’s work is based on a multidimensional security concept, encompassing 23 fields of work. Learn more about the Organization’s activities and teams working in fields relevant to the Forum for Security Co-operation.