News and press releases

As part of efforts to help prevent young people from becoming criminals, the OSCE Transnational Threats Department and the Office of the Co-ordinator of OSCE Economic and Environmental Activities held a regional training course on multi-stakeholder co-operation in youth crime prevention for law enforcement and social services professionals from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan in Tashkent, Uzbekistan on 13 and 14 May.

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.

On 29 April, representatives from the Ministry of Sports and Youth, local governments, and local youth services gathered in Podgorica for the introductory capacity-building training titled "Networking and Cooperation of the Youth Sector at the Local Level." The event was organized by the OSCE Mission to Montenegro in collaboration with the Ministry of Sports and Youth.

Representatives of Albanian authorities discussed ways to work with child-protection specialists and young people to leverage social media in youth crime prevention. The workshop, organized by the OSCE Transnational Threats Department and the Office of the Co-ordinator of OSCE Economic and Environmental Activities, in co-operation with the OSCE Presence in Albania, was held in Tirana between 14 and 15 April.  

Taking an additional step towards empowering young women from Central Asia and Afghanistan to play an active role in peacebuilding and conflict resolution, the Young Women 4 Peace: Empowering Central Asian Young Women Initiative arrived in Tashkent, Uzbekistan from 8 to 10 April.

Today, the Acting Head of the OSCE Mission in Kosovo Cornelia Taylor visited the Municipality of Ranilug/Ranillug to meet the Mayor Katarina Ristić-Ilić and to see up-close the community safety initiative implemented by the Local Public Safety Committee (LPSC) in Ranilug/Ranillug with OSCE support.

The need to prioritize the welfare, wellbeing and empowerment of young survivors of human trafficking was the focus of discussions at an event organized by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) and led by International Survivors of Trafficking Advisory Council (ISTAC) on the margins of the 25th Conference of the Alliance against Trafficking in Persons.