News and press releases

Despite the challenges caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Governing Board of the Regional Youth Cooperation Office (RYCO), under Montenegro’s presidency, delivered their programme for youth in the region in 2021. As it prepares for 2022, RYCO will continue to build up its effectiveness and visibility to provide more opportunities for youth.

The 1st International Forum of Business Ombudspersons “Strengthening Interregional Cooperation and Integrity in Business Sphere” was held in Tashkent on December 14, 2021. The Forum was organized by the OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Uzbekistan jointly with the Commissioner under the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan for the protection of the rights and legitimate interests of business entities (Business Ombudsman).

A high-level conference on raising awareness on gender inequalities and corruption took place on 10 December 2021, in hybrid format in Tirana. Organized by the OSCE Presence in Albania, the event marked the end of Integrity Week in Albania, which raised awareness of the opportunities that gender-specific approaches to fighting corruption offer to boost socio-economic growth, security, and to consolidate democracy.

“Enforced and involuntary disappearances in dictatorship and authoritarian past and contemporary settings: a social, legal and historical appraisal of transitional and transformation polices and mechanisms,” was the topic of an international conference held in Tirana and online, from 13 to 15 December 2021.

The OSCE Border Management Staff College (BMSC) concluded its 30th Staff Course, held in a blended format, on 10 December 2021 with the physical presence of the majority of participants in Dushanbe, Tajikistan.

The 7th Annual Conference of the Kyrgyz Association of Women Judges on "Increasing the level of independence of judges as a way to counter corruption" took place on 10 and 11 December in Bishkek.

On 9 December 2021, the OSCE launched the regional project ‘Enhancing Criminal Justice Capacities for Combating Gender-based Violence in South-Eastern Europe’.