News and press releases

On 15 and 16 October, the OSCE Secretariat with the support of the OSCE Programme Office in Bishkek and other OSCE Field Operations in Central Asia organized an international seminar that initiated the establishment of the Association of Women in Border and Law Enforcement Agencies in Central Asia. The international seminar, held in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, builds on OSCE’s ongoing efforts to empower women officers and strengthen regional security.

The OSCE Programme Office in Bishkek is supporting a series of joint inter- and intra-agency exercises designed to enhance collaboration between the Border Service and law enforcement agencies in combating the illicit trafficking of small arms and light weapons, conventional ammunition, and explosives in southern Kyrgyzstan. These scenario-based exercises are vital in reinforcing co-operation between the Border Service’s internal structures and units, while also fostering stronger partnerships with law enforcement agencies. By working together, participants will become familiar with each other’s operational procedures, improving their ability to respond swiftly and effectively to security threats.

From 30 September to 11 October, the OSCE Programme Office in Astana (Office) organized an advanced Training of Trainers, for a group of ten new Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (hereinafter – UAV) instructors of Kazakhstan’s National Security Committee Border Service in Lenger, Turkistan province. With the Office’s support, the Border Service established a Centre of Excellence for UAV operations in Lenger, where future capacity-building activities are planned to be held with the OSCE’s support.

Twenty-eight border and customs officers participated in a training course held from 7 to 11 October in Astana, Kazakhstan. The training course was organized by the OSCE Transnational Threats Department in close co-operation with the OSCE Programme Office in Astana, and with the support of the Permanent Mission of Kazakhstan to the OSCE.

On 8 October 2024, the OSCE Programme Office in Dushanbe (POiD), in co-operation with Tajikistan’s Border Troops, concluded a one-month training course titled "Sustaining Field Operational Capacities" (SFOC) in the Border Troops Detachment in Shurobod, Khatlon Region.

The OSCE provided specialized vehicles and equipment to the General Inspectorate of Border Police during a ceremony held on 3 October 2024 in Chisinau, Moldova. This was done in support of Moldova’s efforts in preventing and addressing transnational organized crime.

Against the backdrop of persistent security challenges in South-Eastern Europe, a milestone in the fight against transnational threats and organized crime has been achieved. Today, the OSCE Mission to Skopje opened the new state-of-the-art Regional K9 Training and Certification Centre in Gjorche