News and press releases

VIENNA/HELSINKI, 18 September 2025- The OSCE Chairperson-in-Office’s Special Envoy, Ambassador Terhi Hakala, has concluded her official visit to Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, and Kyrgyzstan. The aim of the visit was to strengthen OSCE partnerships in the region.

An OSCE-organized training course on media literacy for representatives of Turkmenistan’s national media and state institutions of the National Human Rights Action Plan for 2021-2025 took place on 16 and 17 September 2025. The training course was delivered by two national trainers who successfully

Anu Juvonen, the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office’s Special Representative on Civil Society, concluded a visit to Georgia. During her visit from 7 to 11 September, Juvonen met with government officials, civil society representatives, and members of the diplomatic community to assess the state of civic space in Georgia.

VIENNA, 18 September 2025 – Today, Switzerland’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis outlined the country’s priorities as the incoming 2026 OSCE Chair-in-Office to the Permanent Council.

What seems like a simple interaction is powered by sophisticated cryptographic systems and secure digital chips, technologies that four Ukrainian forensic document experts explored in depth during a specialized training course organized by the OSCE Transnational Threats Department, in co-operation with IDcentre, a professional training institute in Eindhoven, the Netherlands from 15 to 18 September.

Finland today chaired its first meeting of the OSCE Forum for Security Co-operation (FSC), outlining the priorities it will pursue in the months ahead. Support for Ukraine, Finland emphasized, will remain a cross-cutting priority at the heart of its work.

Thanks to an initiative of the OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Uzbekistan, more than 150 women from Karakalpakstan have enhanced their IT and digital literacy skills. They also successfully acquired practical expertise in e-commerce and digital marketing, laying a solid foundation for the further

VIENNA/HELSINKI, 17 September 2025 — OSCE Chairperson-in-Office Finnish Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen concluded her two-day visit to Belgrade and Prishtinë/Priština, where she engaged in discussions with high-level officials on fostering security, safety and stability across the region.

More than 200 pupils, parents, teachers, and civil society partners gathered today at the Primary School “Zhivko Brajkovski” in Butel, Skopje, to celebrate of the OSCE Mission to Skopje’s Building New Bridges project. Launched in 2022, by the Mission, this initiative has been a catalyst for

SARAJEVO, 15 September 2025- On 10 September 2025, at its 16th regular session, the Brčko District Assembly (BDA) adopted the Law on Professional Rehabilitation and Employment of Persons with Disabilities of Brčko District of BiH (BD). With this, the BD has, for the first time in its history, established a clear legislative framework protecting the rights of persons with disabilities in relation to work and employment. The adoption of this law reflects sustained advocacy by the OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina (Mission), including consistent technical support to the legislative Working Group.

On 15 September, the OSCE, in partnership with the National Anticorruption Center (NAC) of Moldova, organized the newest edition of the “Anti-Corruption Café” – an open dialogue platform aimed at promoting integrity and transparency in Moldova. The event brought together representatives of the

Uzbekistan hosts the first International Forum of Central Asian Commissioners for Children’s Rights

The OSCE Mission to BiH (Mission) strongly condemns the 11 September act of vandalism at the Orthodox cemetery in Pečuj near Zenica and expresses heartfelt sympathy to those affected by the desecration of these tombstones.

PRAGUE, 12 September 2025 — Over 200 participants—including representatives from OSCE participating States, Partners for Co-operation, OSCE structures, civil society, international organizations, and subject-matter experts—gathered in Prague for the Chairpersonship Forum, “Building a Resilient

Open data offers timely insights into markets, competitors, and consumers, serving as a key enabler of evidence-based decision-making, financial innovation, and sustainable growth. To promote its use across Ukraine’s business and financial sectors, the Office of the Co-ordinator of OSCE Economic

STRASBOURG, 12 September 2025 — National anti-trafficking co-ordinators and rapporteurs reaffirmed their commitment to forge stronger cross-sector partnerships and integrate crisis resilience into anti-trafficking strategies at their largest annual meeting, held from 11 to 12 September at the

Prishtinë / Priština, 12 September 2025 As part of ongoing efforts to enhance public safety and emergency preparedness, the OSCE Mission donated 11 automated external defibrillators (AEDs) to the Kosovo Police to support life-saving interventions in critical situations.

The OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina (Mission) unequivocally condemns all forms of violence, including acts directed against political actors.

The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) actively contributed to the 2025 Annual Summit of the Global Coalition to Fight Financial Crime (GCFFC), held on 10-11 September in Abu Dhabi, UAE. The event brought together over 200 participants from international organizations,

From 25 to 29 August 2025, the OSCE Programme Office in Bishkek, with support from the U.S. Embassy in Bishkek, organized a specialized training for 10 (ten) Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) experts of the Border Service of the State Committee for National Security of the Kyrgyz Republic based on

Dushanbe, Tajikistan, 11 September 2025 — The Chairperson-in-Office’s Special Envoy, Terhi Hakala, will visit Tajikistan to reaffirm the OSCE’s commitment to supporting Tajikistan in border security, disaster risk reduction and emergency preparedness, as well as human rights and gender equality.

The OSCE Presence in Albania, with support from the OSCE Transnational Threats Department/Strategic Police Matters Unit and the United States Department of Justice’s International Criminal Investigative Training Assistance Program (ICITAP), organized a two-day regional workshop on the nexus between

The Deputy Head of the OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina (Mission), Zahid Movlazada, concluded a two-day (Sept. 9-10) visit to Livno, Drvar, and Bihać, engaging with key Mission stakeholders and counterparts across Canton 10 and Una-Sana Canton to advance dialogue on pressing local issues and reinforce co-operation with the Mission.

WARSAW, 9 September 2025 – The invitation by the Georgian authorities to observe the local elections taking place on 4 October, less than a month before election day, leaves insufficient time for credible and meaningful observation, the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) said in a statement today.

This evening, the OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Uzbekistan held an event to mark both the fiftieth anniversary of the signing of the Helsinki Final Act – the founding document of the Organization – as well as 30 years of OSCE presence in Uzbekistan. The OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Uzbekistan

From 2 to 5 September 2025, the OSCE Centre in Ashgabat hosted a national seminar on the implementation of OSCE Vienna Document 2011 on confidence- and security-building measures.

SKOPJE, 5 September 2025 – The OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) today opened an observation mission for the 19 October local elections in North Macedonia, following an invitation from the national authorities.

An OSCE-organized training course on Anti-Money Laundering and Combating the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) for students from Turkmenistan’s institutions of higher education took place in a hybrid format from 1 to 5 September 2025.

In response to a request from the Police Directorate to contribute to the overall effectiveness of the Regional Security Centre (RSC) “North”, the OSCE Mission to Montenegro provided technical equipment for six security centres and three police stations in Bijelo Polje, Berane, Kolašin, Mojkovac, Rožaje, Plav, Andrijevica, Gusinje, and Petnjica.

An-OSCE supported training course on strategic analysis in combating money laundering and financing of terrorism took place in Ashgabat from1 to 4 September 2025. The OSCE Centre in Ashgabat organized the four-day event in close co-operation with Egmont Centre of FIU Excellence and Leadership

In response to the growing threats posed by illicit trafficking in firearms, ammunition and explosives, the Government of Ukraine is seeking to develop a national strategy on Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW), together with a comprehensive action plan to guide its implementation.

OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities Christophe Kamp visited Kosovo from 25 to 29 August 2025, where he met with the authorities in Prishtinë/Priština. He also met representatives of non-majority communities, religious leaders and civil society organizations, as well as members of the

The OSCE, through its Office of the Co-ordinator of Economic and Environmental Activities (OCEEA), held a two-day workshop in Astana on 6-7 August 2025 to enhance the capacity of the Prosecutor’s Office and law enforcement agencies of the Republic of Kazakhstan in investigating crimes involving

VIENNA/HELSINKI, 1 September 2025- The OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, Foreign Minister of Finland Elina Valtonen, and OSCE Secretary General Feridun H. Sinirlioğlu welcome the adoption of a Ministerial Council decision closing the Minsk process and related structures following a Joint Appeal from Armenia and Azerbaijan.

Bishkek, 1 September 2025 — The OSCE Programme Office in Bishkek is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Volker Frobarth of Germany as the new Head of the OSCE Programme Office in Bishkek. Dr. Frobarth brings more than two decades of experience in international cooperation, diplomacy, and

HELSINKI/VALLETTA/BERN, 29 August 2025- Today, the OSCE Troika – Chairperson-in-Office of the OSCE and Foreign Minister of Finland Elina Valtonen, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Tourism of Malta Ian Borg, and Federal Councillor and Head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs of Switzerland Ignazio Cassis – made the following statement:

Kyzyl-Suu, 22 August 2025 — More than 20 participants from across Kyrgyzstan gathered in Kyzyl-Suu for the National Youth Summer Camp “Climate – Mountains – Youth”, jointly organized by the OSCE Programme Office in Bishkek, the Office of the Special Representative of the President of Kyrgyzstan for

Regarding the 28 August 2025 Decision of the Central Election Commission (CEC) of Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) to call early elections for the President of Republika Srpska (RS), in line with the legal mandate of the CEC BiH, the applicable electoral framework, and the decisions of the Court of BiH and Constitutional Court of BiH, the OSCE Mission to BiH (Mission) underlines once again that upholding the constitutional order and the rule of law is non-negotiable and remains crucial for stability and democracy in BiH.

Ambassador Rick Holtzapple, Head of the OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina, concluded a two-day visit to Brčko District of Bosnia and Herzegovina, underscoring the Mission’s continued commitment to supporting reforms and strengthening co-operation with local institutions.

The OSCE Mission to Skopje is announcing a call for participants for the Youth Engagement and Empowerment to Counter Radicalization and Violent Extremism Training, to be held from 15–18 September 2025 at Hotel Romantique in Veles. This initiative aims to equip young leaders with the knowledge and

WARSAW, 22 August 2025 – Greater efforts are needed to support human rights defenders working to protect freedom of thought, conscience, religion or belief as a core human right at the heart of our democracies, the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) said on the International Day Commemorating the Victims of Acts of Violence Based on Religion or Belief.

The Deputy Head of the OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina (Mission), Zahid Movlazada, visited Banja Luka today and yesterday, where he met with RSNA Deputy Speaker, Mirsad Duratović, Head of SNSD Caucus in the RSNA, Srđan Mazalica, Head of the PDP Caucus in the RSNA, Igor Crnadak, RS President’s Advisor, Ana Trišić Babić, and President of Independent Movement “Svojim putem”, Igor Radojičić.

A two-day training session titled "Media Literacy Among Youth as an Effective Tool to Counter Radicalization and Terrorism" was held in Urgench on August 19–20. The event was organized by the Centre for Retraining Journalists of Uzbekistan, which is implementing partner of  theOSCE

The OSCE Programme Office in Dushanbe supported the Committee on Women and Family Affairs under the Government of Tajikistan in holding a two-day workshop of the Working Group on 19 and 20 August 2025. The event focused on finalizing an OSCE-commissioned instruction on inter-agency co-ordination of activities aimed at preventing domestic violence and providing services to victims.

The OSCE Programme Office in Dushanbe (POiD) invites national public organizations operating in the Republic of Tajikistan to participate in an open competitive selection process for the implementation of an OSCE POiD project aimed at effectively and sustainably addressing gender-based violence and economically empowering women and girls in the Vahdat district.

From 14 to 17 August, the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe Programme Office in Dushanbe held a training on Investment Promotion Techniques and Business Etiquette for 20 mid– to senior-level specialists (5 female and 15 male) from the State Committee on Investment and State Property Management.

On 24 July 2025 and following consultation with Ukraine, 41 OSCE participating States invoked the Moscow Mechanism “on violations and abuses of human rights and violations of IHL, including possible cases of war crimes and crimes against humanity, related to the treatment of Ukrainian POWs by the

On 11-18 August 2025, the OSCE Programme Office in Dushanbe in co-operation with the OSCE Programme Office in Bishkek, the OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Uzbekistan and with the support of the regional youth Network by Consensus conducted a Central Asia (CA) and Türkiye Youth Talks in Istanbul, Türkiye.

On 11-18 August 2025, the OSCE Programme Office in Dushanbe in co-operation with the OSCE Programme Office in Bishkek, the OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Uzbekistan and with the support of the regional youth Network by Consensus conducted a Central Asia (CA) and Türkiye Youth Talks in Istanbul,

The 8th Central Asian Expert Forum (CAEF) took place on 14–15 August 2025 in Tashkent. This year’s theme “Central Asia – a Common Space of Trust, Security and Sustainable Development” brought together over 100 experts, policy-makers, and diplomats to discuss regional dialogue and cooperation across