Goal 16: Peace, justice and strong institutions

Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

Achieving peaceful, just and inclusive societies is a common aim of all of the OSCE’s work on the many and varied aspects of security. The participating States engage in regular political negotiations and develop and implement military confidence-and security-building mechanisms to maintain sustainable peace. The OSCE plays a leading role in mediating peaceful solutions to the protracted conflicts in its region.

The OSCE’s executive structures, institutions and field operations address human rights and rule of law, corruption and crime control, discrimination and inequality, economic, labour, and migration policies. They assist the participating States in their efforts to prevent human trafficking, eliminate corruption and provide legal identities to stateless people. The High Commissioner on National Minorities engages with governments and national minorities to promote peace and the integration of diverse societies with a new to preventing crises and conflicts.

The goal of creating inclusive and peaceful societies has been the driving force behind the OSCE’s support to the implementation of the Aarhus Convention on Access to Information, Public Participation in Decision-making and Access to Justice in Environmental Matters, including by facilitating a large network of Aarhus Centres in South Eastern Europe, Eastern Europe, the South Caucasus, and Central Asia.