Mechanisms and procedures

The OSCE mechanisms and procedures, developed through diplomatic negotiations among participating States, aim to settle disputes peacefully without requiring consensus. They facilitate prompt and direct contact between the conflicting parties and help mobilize concerted and rapid action by the Organization. 

The two mechanisms developed in the human dimension are the Vienna and the Moscow Mechanisms. The 1989 Vienna Mechanism provides for exchanging information on questions about the human dimension. The Moscow Mechanism, adopted in 1991 and amended in 1993, complements and strengthens the Vienna Mechanism.

Vienna Mechanism

This mechanism distinguishes between four separate phases during which participating States may respond to requests for information made by other participating States; hold bilateral meetings, should other participating States request these; bring situations and cases in the human dimension to the attention of other participating States; and discuss issues raised under the Mechanism at OSCE meetings. The Vienna Mechanism was activated extensively between January 1989 and April 1992 in the context of East-West relations.

Moscow Mechanism

This Mechanism allows participating States to dispatch international experts (or rapporteurs) to assist with assessing and resolving a particular human dimension question or problem. The Moscow mechanism can be invoked before, during and after a violent conflict. It was invoked 15 times between 1992 and 2025.

Human dimension mechanisms

Confidence- and Security-Building Measures

One of the most important achievements of the CSCECSCE
Conference on Security and Co-operation in Europe/OSCE has been the progressive negotiation of confidence- and security-building measures (CSBMs), which provide for exchanging and verifying information regarding the participating States’ armed forces and military activities and establish mechanisms promoting cooperation among participating States on military matters.

The provisions evolved in three stages: the Helsinki Final Act regime (1975–1986), the Stockholm Document regime (1986–1990) and the Vienna Document regime (since 1990). The Forum for Security Co-operation is responsible for negotiating and overseeing the implementation of CSBMsCSBMs
Confidence- and security-building measures. The Vienna Document is considered a pillar of European security architecture. It contains a broad band of CSBMs, such as the annual exchange of military information, prior notification and observation of major military activities, inspections and evaluations, and military-to-military contacts. It was last updated in 1999 with new measures and a chapter on regional security aspects.

Vienna Document

Code of Conduct on Politico-Military Aspects of Security

One of the essential norm-setting instruments developed by the OSCE in the post-Cold War era, the Code of Conduct broke new ground on the democratic political control of armed forces, intra-state norms and using armed forces in peace and conflict. It links the OSCE’s politico-military and human dimensions of security. The Code of Conduct is a stand-alone, politically binding instrument providing rules and principles of the democratic political control of armed forces in a multilateral security framework.

Code of Conduct

OSCE Document on Small Arms and Light Weapons

This Document, adopted in 2000 and reissued in 2012, describes norms, principles and measures to reduce the destabilizing accumulation and uncontrolled spread of small arms and light weapons. It has been instrumental in introducing higher common standards of practice on small arms controls and in preventing the diversion of such weapons into illegal markets.

Advancing control over small arms, light weapons and conventional ammunition 

OSCE Document on Stockpiles of Conventional Ammunition

This Document was adopted in 2003 and established a practical procedure to address the security and safety risks posed by stockpiles of conventional ammunition, explosive material and detonating devices. The Document does not address ammunition used for weapons of mass destruction (nuclear, chemical and biological).

Advancing control over small arms, light weapons and conventional ammunition 

Mechanism for Consultation and Co-operation with Regard to Emergency Situations

This Mechanism, also known as the Berlin Mechanism, outlines measures that can be applied in serious emergencies arising from violating the Principles of the Helsinki Final Act or due to major disruptions endangering peace, security or stability. The mechanism provides that if any participating State concludes that such an emergency is developing, it may seek clarification from the State or States involved. The Berlin Mechanism was invoked five times between 1991 and 1999.

Berlin Mechanism

Valletta Mechanism

This Mechanism, endorsed in 1991 and slightly revised in 1992, was the first formal CSCE procedure for peaceful dispute settlement. It provides a full-fledged conciliation procedure based on ten Principles for Dispute Settlement. The Mechanism consists of one or more persons who seek contact with the parties to the dispute, separately or jointly. They may offer general or specific comments or advice which are not binding on the parties.

Valletta Mechanism

Convention on Conciliation and Arbitration within the OSCE

Under this Convention, adopted in 1992, the Court on Conciliation and Arbitration was established in 1995. It aims to facilitate the settlement of disputes between State parties through conciliation and, where appropriate, arbitration. The Convention binds only those participating States that have legally become parties to it and also cover the Court’s expenses.

Mediation and Dialogue Facilitation

Building on provisions in the 1975 Helsinki Final Act, where participating States committed to settling conflicts peacefully through negotiation, mediation, conciliation, arbitration and judicial settlement, the OSCE developed processes and guidance for effective mediation and dialogue facilitation. At the Ministerial Council 2011, States agreed to “maximize the continuity, consistency and effectiveness of OSCE engagement in conflict mediation and to strengthen the role of OSCE mediators.” Many OSCE actors engage in such activities, including the Chairperson-in-Office, Personal or Special Representatives or Envoys, the Secretary General, Director of the Conflict Prevention Centre, heads of field operations and institutions, and the Parliamentary Assembly.

Mediation and mediation support

Cyber confidence-building measures

In 2013, the OSCE stepped up its efforts to address security issues stemming from information and communication technologies. Participating States adopted 16 confidence-building measures, designed to make cyber activity more predictable and offer concrete tools and mechanisms to avoid potential misunderstandings. They focused on enhancing transparency, facilitating communication and strengthening co-operation on cyber security, for example, by protecting ICT-enabled critical infrastructure.

Cyber/ICT security