Strengthening protection in times of crisis focus of OSCE and UNHCR side event at Ministerial Council

Demonstrating how initiatives between the OSCE and the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) have strengthened national protection capacities and alleviated suffering was the focus of a high-level side event held today at the OSCE Ministerial Council.  

The event featured interventions by the Director of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights, Maria Telalian, the OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities Christophe Kamp, and OSCE Conflict Prevention Centre Director Kate Fearon.

The speakers stressed the importance of renewed international solidarity as humanitarian pressures continues to grow globally and in the face of over 25 million refugees and internally displaced persons across the OSCE area.

The discussions highlighted nearly three decades of OSCE–UNHCR co-operation and underscored the ongoing importance of joint action to protect people affected by conflict, displacement, and humanitarian crises. They also emphasized the enduring and strategic nature of the partnership between the two organizations.

Across the OSCE region, the OSCE and UNHCR have worked side by side to ease the hardship of forcibly displaced and stateless persons, strengthen protection frameworks, and support states in fulfilling their international obligations.

“Today’s challenges remind us that protection is not a solitary effort. UNHCR and the OSCE stand united for protection, working together to uphold human dignity, foster stability, and ensure that those forced to flee and stateless persons are not left behind,” said UNHCR Assistant High Commissioner for Protection Ruven Menikdiwela.

Speaking on behalf of the Finland’s 2025 OSCE Chairpersonship, Vice Minister Pasi Rajala underlined the continued relevance of the Helsinki Final Act as the Organization marks its 50th anniversary. “What made the Final Act groundbreaking was the recognition that security is not merely a matter between states—it is inseparable from the rights of individuals. The Helsinki Final Act also recognized the economic and social dimensions of migration. Finland has a strong partnership with UNHCR, and we are committed to continuing our support to the valuable work the UNHCR is doing during these turbulent times.”