News and press releases

The OSCE Programme Office in Dushanbe organized a study visit to Albania for eight representatives from various state institutions responsible for preventing and responding to domestic violence. This visit took place from 3 to 6 December 2024, and was facilitated by the OSCE Presence in Albania.

The conference, held on the occasion of International Human Rights Day, was hosted by the Faculty of Law at the "Džemal Bijedić" University in Mostar with support from the Federal Ministry of Education and Science and the OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina (Mission). It served as a vital platform for legal professionals, academics, and policymakers to tackle pressing issues in the effective administration of justice. Through in-depth discussions, participants identified gaps in criminal legislation and its implementation, fostering reform through targeted and evidence-based solutions.

A high-level side event held on 5 December on the margins of the 31st OSCE Ministerial Council in Malta focused on the vital role of free and independent media in fostering democracy and security in the OSCE region.

A high-level side-event held on 5 December on the margins of the OSCE Ministerial Council marked 20 years of the OSCE Action Plan for the Promotion of Gender Equality (GAP). Adopted in 2004, the GAP sets a firm political commitment and objectives to advance gender equality across the Organization and in participating States, as an essential prerequisite for peace, security, and sustainable development across the OSCE region.

Titled "Parliaments in Bosnia and Herzegovina and Citizens: The Path to Successful Partnership – Civic Initiative in Parliaments in Bosnia and Herzegovina," the conference brought together over 60 participants, including representatives from BiH parliaments, international organizations, NGOs, the academic community, and guests from the region.

On 5 December, the awarding ceremony for youth start-ups in the Khorezm province was held in Urgench. The event marked the conclusion of the capacity-building programme for youth start-ups in the Khorezm province, co-organized by the OSCE PCUz and IT-Park Uzbekistan and launched in September. The

VALLETTA, 5 December 2024 — “In times of war and multiple crises, the OSCE is needed more than ever as one of the last open channels of communication in Europe,” said OSCE Chair-in-Office, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Tourism of Malta Ian Borg at the opening of the 31st OSCE Ministerial Council in Malta today. He reminded the assembled foreign ministers, state secretaries and high-level officials from the 57 OSCE participating States and 11 Partners for Co-operation that the pressing security challenges in the region can only be resolved through diplomacy and political will.