News and press releases
News and press releases from the OSCE's global activities.
Weekly Update from the OSCE Observer Mission at Russian Checkpoints Gukovo and Donetsk based on information as of 20 October 2020
Publishing date: 20 October 2020
Kamensk-Shakhtinskiy, Russian Federation. The Observer Mission (OM) continues to operate 24/7 at both Border Crossing Points (BCPs). The overall number of border crossings by persons decreased at both BCPs compared to the previous week...
OSCE PA leaders call for enhancing political commitment, revitalizing trust and co-operation on the eve of the Paris Charter’s 30th anniversary
Publishing date: 16 October 2020
COPENHAGEN, 16 October 2020 – Leaders of the Parliamentary Assembly took part today in a timely event organized by the OSCE to mark the 30th anniversary of the Charter of Paris for a New Europe, which was adopted at a summit meeting in November 1990. Declaring that “the era of confrontation and division of Europe has ended,” the Charter envisioned “a new era of democracy, peace and unity,” and provided for the institutionalization of the OSCE...
OSCE Security Days: States need to revive the ‘spirit’ of 1990 Paris Summit in addressing today’s distrust and tensions in European security
Publishing date: 16 October 2020
PRAGUE / VIENNA, 16 October 2020 – Ahead of the 30th anniversary of the Charter of Paris for a New Europe, opening speakers of an online OSCE Security Days event commemorating this historic document called on States to revive the spirit of the 1990 Paris Summit in overcoming today’s challenges, distrust and heightened tensions in European security...
OSCE co-hosts a series of events on freedom of religion or belief in co-operation with OSCE/ODIHR and the Government of Uzbekistan
Publishing date: 15 October 2020
A two-day series of online events on the nature, status and scope of the Right to Freedom of Religion or Belief for all (FoRB) as enshrined in international standards and the OSCE human dimension commitments concluded on 14 October 2020. The OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Uzbekistan organized the events targeted for Uzbekistan state officials. The series also included a briefing on the OSCE/ODIHR Freedom of Religion or Belief and on Security Policy Guidance...
Press Statement of Special Representative Grau after the regular Meeting of Trilateral Contact Group on 14 October 2020
Publishing date: 15 October 2020
KYIV, 15 October 2020 – The Special Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office in Ukraine and in the Trilateral Contact Group (TCG), Ambassador Heidi Grau, made the following statement to the press after the regular meetings of the TCG and its Working Groups held through video conferencing:...
Second Biennial OSCE meeting explores efforts to address risks posed by small arms and light weapons and stockpiles of conventional ammunition
Publishing date: 14 October 2020
Efforts by OSCE participating States to address the risks posed by small arms and light weapons (SALW) and stockpiles of conventional ammunition (SCA), particularly in preventing and combating the illicit trade in SALW, were the focus of a meeting organized by the German Chair of the Forum for Security Co-operation on 13 and 14 October 2020...
Experts and practitioners review commitments to women, peace and security agenda
Publishing date: 14 October 2020
On the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the landmark UN Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security (WPS), the OSCE and UN Women joined forces to host an online event on 12 October 2020. Experts reviewed commitments and charted the way forward on this landmark resolution, the first international agreement recognizing that conflict affects women differently than men and calling for the meaningful participation of women in peace processes. A wide range of WPS practitioners from civil society and women’s organizations, government officials and representatives of international organizations participated in the event.