News and press releases
News and press releases from the OSCE's global activities.
OSCE Chairperson Linde appoints Mikko Kinnunen as Special Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office in Ukraine and in the Trilateral Contact Group
Publishing date: 19 July 2021
STOCKHOLM, 19 July 2021 — The OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, Swedish Minister for Foreign Affairs Ann Linde announced today the appointment of Ambassador Mikko Kinnunen from Finland as the OSCE Chairperson’s Special Representative in Ukraine and in the Trilateral Contact Group. Ambassador Kinnunen will take up his new position upon the departure of Ambassador Heidi Grau, who currently holds the position and will leave her duties on 31 July.
Poland’s 2022 OSCE Chairmanship to focus on OSCE’s fundamental tasks, Minister of Foreign Affairs Zbigniew Rau tells Permanent Council
Publishing date: 15 July 2021
VIENNA, 15 July 2021 — Poland’s OSCE Chairmanship next year will focus on supporting conflict resolution and conflict-affected populations, responding to post-COVID challenges, and embracing the OSCE’s spirit of co-operation towards implementing shared commitments, said Poland’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Zbigniew Rau in his address to the OSCE Permanent Council today.
OSCE representatives call for support for victims of trafficking following their visit to Bosnia and Herzegovina
Publishing date: 14 July 2021
SARAJEVO, 14 July 2021 — Support to victims and assistance to local authorities in combating human trafficking was the focus of an official field visit to Bosnia and Herzegovina by Valiant Richey, OSCE Special Representative and Co-ordinator for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings, and Gudrun Kugler, Vice-Chair of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly Ad Hoc Committee on Migration.
How to prevent and combat terrorism in all forms discussed at joint OSCE Forum for Security Co-operation–Permanent Council meeting
Publishing date: 14 July 2021
VIENNA, 14 July 2021 — How to prevent and combat the evolving threat of all forms of terrorism was discussed today at the joint meeting of the OSCE Forum for Security Co-operation (FSC) and OSCE Permanent Council.
101st Incident Prevention and Response Mechanism meeting takes place in Ergneti
Publishing date: 13 July 2021
ERGNETI, 13 July 2021 — The 101st meeting of the Incident Prevention and Response Mechanism (IPRM) convened today in Ergneti, co-facilitated by the EU Monitoring Mission in Georgia and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE).
Greater efforts needed to ensure digital technologies empower human rights, OSCE leaders say
Publishing date: 13 July 2021
VIENNA/WARSAW, 13 July 2021 — Understanding the implications of digital technology is key to the protection and promotion of human rights in the 21st century, OSCE leaders said as a two-day online conference concluded on the opportunities and challenges of the digital age for human rights and democracy.
Implementing Women, Peace and Security agenda central to achieving sustainable development, says CiO Linde after concluding visit to Kosovo
Publishing date: 8 July 2021
PRISTINA, 8 July 2021 — OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, Swedish Minister for Foreign Affairs Ann Linde concluded her visit to Kosovo together with the Assistant Secretary-General of the United Nations and Deputy Executive Director of UN Women, Åsa Regnér, today. The programme included meetings with the OSCE Mission in Kosovo, Kosovo authorities and civil society. Linde encouraged authorities to focus further on gender equality and women’s and girl’s enjoyment of human rights, in particular the implementation of the Women, Peace and Security agenda. The Swedish Chairpersonship aims to integrate the Women, Peace and Security agenda into the daily work of the OSCE structures...