News and press releases

Strengthening the rule of law and ensuring that Western Balkan judiciaries are both independent and effective is central to fostering public trust, advancing democratic institutions, and ultimately securing long-term peace and stability in the region. This was heard at the regional conference...

The OSCE Programme Office in Dushanbe (POiD) supported an international workshop on Financial Action Task Force (FATF) standards, which took place from 24 to 27 September 2024 in Dushanbe.

From 23 to 27 September 2024, the OSCE Programme Office in Dushanbe (POiD) and the Republic of Türkiye Gendarmerie Forensic Department collaborated to conduct a one-week practical Training for Trainers on "Authenticity Verification of Security Documents." The training took place in Istanbul, Türkiye and aimed to enhance the skills of five trainers from the Tajik Border Troops.

The OSCE Programme Office in Dushanbe (POiD) provided support to the Republican Training and Methodological Centre (RTMC) of the Committee of Emergency Situations and Civil Defence in conducting a training course in Bokhtar from 24 to 26 September 2024.

From September 25 to 27, fifteen participants from various OSCE participating States met in in Gdansk, Poland, for training session on adult education techniques. The objective was to equip participants with the necessary skills to educate others in their countries and across the OSCE region on topics such as virtual asset regulation, compliance, co-operation, and investigations. The event, organized by the Office of the Co-ordinator of OSCE Economic and Environmental Activities (OCEEA), brought together participants from diverse backgrounds to build their capacity as future trainers. It was hosted by University of Gdansk, and facilitated by General Inspector of Financial Information of Poland.

Strengthening the capacity of local self-government officials to develop youth action plans that support youth participation in local communities is the focus of a training session organized by the OSCE Mission to Montenegro and the Ministry of Sports and Youth in Kolašin from 25 to 27 September.

On 25 September 2024, the OSCE Presence in Albania started a two-day training for the Albanian State Police on environmental enforcement and investigation techniques. The training brought together 17 police officers from all 12 regional directorate of police across Albania which cover criminal

From 18 to 24 September, the OSCE’s Transnational Threats Department held a training course on gender-responsive policing of violence against women and girls in Idrizovo, North Macedonia.

TASHKENT, 25 September 2024- The OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) today opened an election observation mission for the 27 October parliamentary elections in Uzbekistan, following an official invitation from the national authorities.

The equipment will increase the weapons and explosives detection capacities of various agencies across BiH, including the BiH Border Police, the State Investigation and Protection Agency (SIPA), the Police of Brčko District BiH, the Republika Srpska Ministry of Interior, the Federal Police Administration, as well as the Ministries of Interior of the Tuzla Canton, Una-Sana Canton, and Zenica-Doboj Canton.

North Macedonia’s 2024 presidential and early parliamentary elections were competitive, and voters had the opportunity to make informed choices. However, while the legal framework provides the basis for democratic elections, it lacks sufficient regulation for a presidential contest, and recent changes introduced without sufficient transparency and public consultation. Election day was assessed positively overall, with voting procedures largely respected, although some election boards did not fully follow procedures during the count. Rules creating a direct link between public financing of campaigns and media opportunities for candidates disproportionately favoured the major political parties.

Mostar, 23 September 2024 – The OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), the EU in BiH and the Law School of the University of Sarajevo held the Fourth Media Law School on "Strategic Lawsuits against Public Participation (SLAPPs)" from 18 to 23 September in Mostar. During the

Addressing sexual harassment in the workplace was in the focus of the two-day training held in Chisinau on 17 and 18 September for representatives from security sector institutions. The event was co-organized by the OSCE Conflict Prevention Centre, the German GS-Foundation/Equalforce and Gender Associations, in partnership with the Ministry of Interior of the Republic of Moldova.

Recognizing the key role of sports in building a better and fairer society, the seventh youth camp on “Intercultural Competencies in Sports” gathered 15 young Montenegrin athletes from different sport disciplines from 17 to 19 September in Bar.

The 9th Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Balkan Asset Management Interagency Network (BAMIN) took place in Struga, North Macedonia on 18 September. The AGM brought together asset management agencies from across the OSCE area to discuss several aspects in asset management ranging from levels of policy to national interagency co-ordination. During the AGM, France and the United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute (UNICRI) were introduced as new members of BAMIN.

VIENNA, 19 September 2024 – Today, Finland’s Minister for Foreign Affairs Elina Valtonen outlined the country’s priorities as the incoming OSCE Chair-in-Office for 2025 to the Permanent Council.

Data protection in healthcare is essential for preserving patient confidentiality, securing sensitive medical data, and maintaining trust in the healthcare system. On 17 September 2024, the OSCE Presence supported the Commissioner for the Right to Information and Protection of Personal Data in

Ambassador Bakyt Dzhusupov, Co-ordinator of OSCE Economic and Environmental Activities, represented the OSCE at the Fifth Edition of the Ministerial Meeting of the Moldova Partnership Platform on 17 September. The event was co-hosted by France, Germany and Romania.

A regional conference addressing human trafficking in global supply chains, hosted by the OSCE Office of the Special Representative and Co-ordinator for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings and the OSCE Mission to Montenegro, in collaboration with the Ministry of Interior of Montenegro, concluded today in Budva, Montenegro. The event brought together around 40 participants from nine countries, including representatives from government agencies, embassies, businesses, chambers of commerce, trade unions, and civil society organizations. Representatives from the EU also attended. Key outcomes included updating stakeholders on the latest developments in integrating human rights due diligence into legal and regulatory frameworks in the EU and globally and their implications for the private sector, including beyond EU borders. Best practices from countries outside South-Eastern Europe, including Germany and Norway, were also shared.

The OSCE Gender Issues Programme, within the framework of the WIN Project, and the United Nations Population Fund’s (UNFPA) Regional Office for Eastern Europe and Central Asia have jointly released a crucial study on domestic violence perpetrator programmes across Central Asia.

Today’s joint session of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (FBiH) parliamentary committees continues the discussion on institutional responses to domestic and gender-based violence, with a focus on the role of the law enforcement and justice sectors.

Election experts from the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) presented the findings and recommendations of Poland’s 2023 parliamentary elections final report in Warsaw this week to Polish government officials, representatives of the election administration, both houses of the Polish Parliament and the Ombudsperson’s office. A roundtable discussion was also held with civil society organizations and media representatives.

The Coordination Board for Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons and the OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina organized the first in a series of countrywide meetings to support relevant institutions and civil society actors in jointly addressing challenges related to misuse of small arms and light weapons (SALW) in Tuzla.

Thirty-five law enforcement and government officials deepened their knowledge of investigating the criminal use of virtual assets and blockchain-based finance during a two-day workshop held in Astana, Kazakhstan from 16 to 17 September. The event was organized by the Office of the Co-ordinator of OSCE Economic and Environmental Activities (OCEEA) and brought together experts to guide participants through essential investigative tools and strategies.

On 16 September 2024, the OSCE Presence in Albania kicked off a week-long series of events branded Democracy Week to mark the International Democracy Day, 15 September. During the first event, together with the Central Election Commission (CEC), the Presence launched a youth competition for the

As women are increasingly more involved in the traditionally male-dominated mine action sector, it is important to ensure that gender equality principles are taken into account across all aspects of demining work, including identifying areas to be demined, awareness raising, administrative and managerial roles. This will help increase efficiency, ensure higher safety standards  and provide greater security for communities.

From 2 to 13 September, the OSCE’s Transnational Threats Department, in partnership with the Spanish National Police (SNP) and close co-operation with the OSCE Mission to Moldova, held a two-week training course in Chișinău on identifying forged documents and impostors at border crossing points.

Open to: students attending Bachelor and Master studies at Ss. Cyril and Methodius University in Skopje, Goce Delcev University- Shtip, University St. Kliment Ohridski Bitola and South East European University Submission deadline: 15 November 2024 Awards: the three best essays will receive vouchers

An intensive three-week Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Level 1 course commenced on 16 September 2024 at the Regional Explosive Hazards Training Centre (REHTC) of Tajikistan’s Ministry of Defense.

On the margins of the 31st OSCE Economic and Environmental Forum, the Office of the Co-ordinator of OSCE Economic and Environmental Activities (OCEEA) hosted a side event titled "Enhancing the Business and Investment Climate through Good Governance and Digitalization." The event brought together policymakers, experts, and private sector leaders to discuss pressing challenges to maintaining a transparent, enabling business environment and how digital tools can help alleviate these issues.

On 11-14 September 2024, a seminar aimed at supporting the development of Kazakhstan’s court administration strategy for 2025-2029 commenced in Astana as part of the OSCE Programme Office in Astana’s Extrabudgetary project on “Improving the Effectiveness of the Justice System in Kazakhstan”. The seminar took place in two phases, first in Astana and later in Burabay.

Improving international co-operation, exchanging experiences and best practices, and adopting a collaborative approach are essential for effectively addressing online child sexual abuse and exploitation. This was one of the key conclusions of the workshop at the “Cryptocurrency and Online Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation”, organized by the Southeast Europe Police Chiefs Association (SEPCA) at the Western Balkans Cyber Capacity Centre (WB3C), from 11 to 13 September in Podgorica.

As part of a comprehensive initiative to bolster counter-terrorism efforts in Montenegro, the OSCE concluded a three-day training-of-trainers course on Analysis in Countering the Financing of Terrorism (CFT) on 12 September 2024 in Vienna, Austria.

Representatives of state institutions and civil society organizations participated in an OSCE-organized workshop on gender-based violence (GBV) that took place on 12 and 13 September in Ashgabat. The OSCE Centre in Ashgabat organized the two-day event to discuss with national stakeholders the

VIENNA/PRAGUE, 13 September 2024 – The 2024 OSCE Economic and Environmental Forum (EEF) in Prague focused on addressing risks and harnessing technological advancements in the context of climate and digitalization challenges.

WARSAW, 13 September 2024 – The principles of inclusivity and respect for human rights and the rule of law on which our democracies are based can help us find a way forward in times of polarisation and conflict to strengthen our freedom and our security, the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) said ahead of the International Day of Democracy on 15 September.

CHIŞINĂU, 13 September 2024- The OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) opened today an observation mission for the 20 October presidential election and constitutional referendum in Moldova, following an invitation from the national authorities.

On 12-13 September 2024, the OSCE Programme Office in Dushanbe supported the Association of Women’s Councils in the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA) to organize a roundtable discussion in Romit, near Dushanbe.

On 12-13 September 2024, the OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Uzbekistan (PCUz) in co-operation with the National Human Rights Centre (NHRC), conducted a roundtable on “Strengthening the Role of Women in Peace and Security Issues” in Termez (Surkhandarya region). The aim of the event was to support the

VIENNA, 12 September 2024- Measures to enhance national and regional anti-trafficking responses and strengthen their impact were the focus of the largest annual meeting of the National Anti-trafficking Co-ordinators and Rapporteurs, which kicked off today at OSCE headquarters in Vienna, Austria.

ERGNETI, 12 September 2024 – The Special Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office for the South Caucasus, Viorel Moşanu, and the Head of the EU Monitoring Mission in Georgia (EUMM), Bettina Patricia Boughani, co-facilitated the 121st Incident Prevention and Response Mechanism (IPRM) today in Ergneti.

The factors that make people belonging to minorities more vulnerable to human trafficking and ensuring respect for the rights of victims were discussed at the launch of a new joint publication by the OSCE’s Office of the Special Representative and Co-ordinator for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings (CTHB) and the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) on 11 September 2024.

Central Asia's high mountains are critical to the well-being of communities throughout the region and beyond. At the same time, the area is already facing significant climate-related security risks with impacts on the livelihoods of rural mountain and downstream communities that are dependent on agriculture, pastures, and forests. As these risks are shared across the region, they also provide entry points for co-operation to improve livelihoods, stability and resilience in the context of a changing climate.

Tbilisi, 12 September 2024- The OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) today opened an election observation mission for the 26 October parliamentary elections in Georgia, following an official invitation from the national authorities.

Introduction of non-custodial sentences as an alternative to prison and widening possibilities for rehabilitation and parole were discussed at an OSCE-organized seminar that took place on 10 and 11 September 2024 in Ashgabat. The seminar introduced participants to the United Nations Standard

The government of Montenegro has appointed its conciliator and arbitrator to the OSCE Court of Conciliation and Arbitration (CCA) for a new mandate of six years, in accordance with articles 3 and 4 of the Convention on Conciliation and Arbitration within the OSCE.

On 6 September, the tenth group of Ukrainian civil servants and local self-government officials completed an in-person training session on conflict management. The course was developed by the National Agency of Ukraine on Civil Service and the High School of Public Governance with the support of the OSCE Secretariat Extra-Budgetary Support Programme for Ukraine.

The OSCE Programme Office in Dushanbe (POiD), in collaboration with Tajikistan's Border Troops, recently conducted two sessions of its Survival Swimming and Small Boat Operations Course (SaSBOC).

From September 4 to 6, the OSCE and the Bank of Latvia co-hosted a workshop on "Navigating the Virtual Asset Landscape". Bringing together regulators and experts from Latvia, Armenia, Georgia, Moldova, and Ukraine, the workshop addressed the challenges of regulating virtual assets and blockchain technologies.

The OSCE, in co-operation with the General Inspectorate of the Romanian Police, hosted a training on enhancing the K9 capabilities of the Moldovan General Police on 3 and 4 September 2024, at the National Center for Chinology "Dr. Aurel Greblea" in Sibiu, Romania. Over the two-day event,