Fields of work

Good governance

Good governance at all levels is fundamental to economic growth, political stability and security. The OSCE engages in tackling many aspects of weak governance, including corruption and money laundering, and works to promote the full respect of the rule of law, increase transparency, and develop effective legislation in the participating States.

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Factsheet: Good economic governance

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Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe

Our challenge

Many factors can affect security and stability, often across borders, population segments or the OSCE’s three dimensions.

Poor governance and corruption are associated with higher inequality and lower economic growth. Both have a direct impact on social systems, such as health, education and access to employment. It hurts the most vulnerable parts of society and prevents social mobility and equal access to economic opportunities. Consequently, the OSCE supports good economic governance, robust anti-money laundering regimes, solid ethics infrastructure, and sound financial and resource management in its participating States.

Good public and corporate governance, rule of law and strong institutions are essential foundations for a sound economy, which can enable our States to reduce poverty and inequality, to increase social integration and opportunities for all, to attract investment and to protect the environment.

Our action

Building on our comprehensive and co-operative approach to security, we work on strategies to tackle the issue head-on.

Our focus in this area is to tackle such aspects of weak governance as corruption and money laundering, promote respect for the rule of law, increase transparency and develop effective legislation as the foundation of a functioning state. This includes supporting national reforms and transparency initiatives, the development and implementation of more effective anti-corruption policies, and the introduction of mechanisms that help participating States create robust anti-money laundering regimes, a solid ethics infrastructure, and sound financial and resource management. We also help States review their respective legislative systems and legislation.

Mandate

Our teams

Our institutions, field operations and offices bring to the task expert skills and knowledge to develop tailor-made solutions for each challenge.

Our institutions and offices

Both the Office of the Co-ordinator of OSCE Economic and Environmental Activities and the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights work on good governance issues. The former promotes good governance in the context of combating corruption, money laundering and the financing of terrorism. The latter focuses more on the quality and effectiveness of laws related to the human dimension and supports participating States by reviewing their law-making systems and relevant draft and existing legislation.

Our operations on the ground

Many field operations work on initiatives that aim at strengthening good governance in their host countries, including, among other issues, providing targeted technical assistance and capacity-building; supporting authorities’ efforts to counter corruption, money-laundering and terrorism financing; helping improve legislative frameworks; strengthening the management of public funds; and developing codes of ethics and asset declaration mechanisms to promote integrity in public service.

Presence in Albania

Established on 27 March 1997 with the mandate to promote democratization, the rule of law and human rights, and to consolidate democratic institutions.

Centre in Ashgabat

Set up on 23 July 1998, the Centre works on a broad array of security issues, from arms control to economic-environmental topics and human rights.

Programme Office in Bishkek

Established on 23 July 1998, the Office works in all OSCE dimensions, including the economic-environmental, human and political aspects of security.

Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina

Established on 8 December 1995, the Mission works on human rights, education, the rule of law, gender equality, governance and security co-operation.

Programme Office in Dushanbe

Established on 1 December 1993, the Office works on activities ranging from arms control to disaster risk reduction, good governance and gender equality.

Mission in Kosovo

Set up on 1 July 1999, the Mission has its headquarters in Prishtinë/Priština and maintains five regional offices. It runs a wide array of activities.

Mission to Montenegro

Established on 29 June 2006, the Mission assists Montenegro with its reform agenda and helps it further strengthen its democratic development.

Mission to Serbia

The Mission, set up on 11 January 2001, is based in Belgrade and assists Serbia in building accountable democratic institutions.

Mission to Skopje

Established on 18 September 1992, the Mission’s key priorities are constructive inter-ethnic relations and the 2001 Ohrid Framework Agreement.

Project Co-ordinator in Uzbekistan

Active in the country since 1 July 2006, the Co-ordinator helps strengthen legislation and build institutional capacity in Uzbekistan.

Projects

Initiatives funded by individual states and organizations

Projects

Studies and reports

Reports, studies and analyses for policymakers, researchers and all those interested in this field of our work

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Manuals and guides

Practice-oriented manuals, guides, handbooks and recommendations for policymakers and practitioners working in this field

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OSCE stories

Read up on the OSCE, our people on the ground and our work

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