News and press releases

An OSCE-organized seminar on strengthening the role of youth and women in responding to climate change risks in Turkmenistan and Central Asia took place on 12 May 2025 in Ashgabat. The OSCE Centre in Ashgabat initiated this event within the framework of the 7th Central Asian Conference on Climate

TIRANA, 12 May 2025 – Elections to Albania’s parliament were competitive and professionally managed, the authorities rose to the challenge of organising out-of-country voting for the first time and candidates could mostly campaign freely, but they were marked by widespread misuse of public resources and institutional power by the ruling party, while numerous reports of pressure on public employees and other voters as well as cases of intimidation were of concern, international observers said in a statement today.

VIENNA/HELSINKI, 9 May 2025- The Chairperson-in-Office’s Special Envoy, Ambassador Terhi Hakala, concluded her official visit to Montenegro and North Macedonia today. The trip reaffirmed the OSCE’s commitment to stability, security and strengthening democratic institutions in South-Eastern Europe.

An intensive training course on strategic planning for young advisers from Central Asian countries was held in Istanbul, Republic of Türkiye, from 5 to 9 May 2025. The event was organized by the OSCE Programme Offices in Bishkek and Dushanbe, with support from the OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Uzbekistan, the OSCE Programme Office in Astana, and the OSCE Centre in Ashgabat. Mr. Santeri Leinonen, Special Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office on Youth and Security, welcomed the participants via video message. The course aimed to enhance practical skills and deepen understanding of the role of strategic advisers in today’s dynamic environment. Participants — young professionals from government institutions, academia, and other relevant organizations — explored key aspects of strategic analysis, communication, and stakeholder engagement. The training covered the following thematic areas: The role of political and strategic advisers in public administration; Strategy development and implementation in rapidly evolving political contexts; Engaging internal and external stakeholders, including inclusive approaches to various social groups; Developing communication strategies, including public speaking, working with the media, and tools for public diplomacy. The course was based on practical learning and active participation. Attendees improved their skills in drafting analytical materials, speeches, and briefings on key policy and development issues. Delivered in an interactive format, the training served as a platform for knowledge exchange and strengthened regional co-operation in the field of planning and advisory work.

The OSCE Transnational Threats Department held a workshop for 20 senior representatives of law enforcement agencies in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, on 1 and 2 May. The workshop was aimed at strengthening national capacities to provide systematic and sustainable professional training and development on cybercrime and electronic evidence to law enforcement and criminal justice practitioners.

PRISHTINË/PRIŠTINA, 05 May 2025 – Ambassador Gerard McGurk, a career member of the British Diplomatic Service, has been appointed as the new Head of the OSCE Mission in Kosovo and has officially assumed his duties today.

From 22 to 24 April 2025, the OSCE Programme Office in Astana, in co-operation with the Centre for Arms Control and Inspection Support and the Kazakhstan Peace Operations Centre (KAZCENT) of the Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Kazakhstan, and with the support of the OSCE Centre in Ashgabat, the OSCE Programme Office in Bishkek, and the OSCE Programme Office in Dushanbe, organized a three-day international seminar in Almaty to enhance understanding and implementation of the Vienna Document 2011 on Confidence- and Security-Building Measures.