News and press releases

TIRANA/COPENHAGEN/VIENNA/WARSAW/THE HAGUE, 23 April 2020 – The International Day of Multilateralism and Diplomacy for Peace tomorrow will be marked with a heightened appreciation for the importance of comprehensive security and greater sense of urgency for the need to strengthen international co-operation, said the Chair of the OSCE Permanent Council and heads of OSCE institutions in a statement today...

Persistent gender inequality might worsen due to the impact of the pandemic caused by the coronavirus if not properly addressed from the beginning, said speakers at the OSCE online discussion held on 7 April 2020. The webinar, organized by the OSCE Secretariat’s Gender Section and moderated by OSCE Senior Adviser on Gender Issues Amarsanaa Darisuren, provided a platform for the exchange of ideas and good practices on how to respond to gender-related impacts of COVID-19.

Some 150 young scholars (90% female) from 46 OSCE participating States and seven Partners for Co-operation, began the eight-week online training programme on “Conflict Prevention and Resolution through Arms Control, Disarmament and Non-Proliferation in the OSCE Area” on 6 April 2020. The programme is organized jointly with the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs in Vienna, thanks to generous contributions of Andorra, Finland, Germany and Switzerland...

VIENNA / COPENHAGEN / WARSAW, 2 April 2020 – Noting a troubling rise in domestic violence in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns and self-isolation guidelines in many countries, OSCE leaders called today for measures to be taken by governments to protect women and children. They said that unfortunately, for them home is not always a safe haven, as they are the most susceptible to abuse and need increased protection in these extraordinary times and urged authorities to ensure that they are kept safe from abusers.

OSCE Secretary General Thomas Greminger acknowledged exceptional efforts and achievements of OSCE staff members in promoting gender equality in the OSCE and beyond at an award ceremony that took place on 12 March 2020, in Vienna.

The closing conference of the OSCE project “Effective Criminal Justice Strategies and Practices to Combat Gender-based Violence in Eastern Europe” was held in Vienna on 5 and 6 March 2020. The project was implemented over the past two years in Bulgaria, Hungary and Romania...

TIRANA/VIENNA/WARSAW, 6 March 2020- Ahead of the International Women’s Day OSCE leaders urged further action in promoting gender equality and called for intergenerational dialogue to ensure engagement of young people. This year Women’s Day is marked against the backdrop of the 20th anniversary of the UN Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security and the 25th anniversary of the Beijing Platform for Action for the Advancement of Women, and these occasions provide an opportunity to take stock of progress made, they said.