Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe

The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) is the world’s largest regional organization with a security-based objective, comprising 57 participating states located in Europe, Asia and Northern America. Its main goal is the preservation of security, which is comprehensively approached in three dimensions (the politico-military, the environmental and economic, and the human). The Organization’s areas of focus include, but are not limited to, arms control, conflict prevention, media freedom, and energy security. Its Chairmanship shifts annually, with Slovakia holding the office for 2019, and its highest decision-making body is the Ministerial Council. OSCE participating states enjoy equal status and its decisions -which are politically and not legally binding-, are made by consensus.

The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) is the world’s largest regional organization with a security-based objective. The Organization traces its origins to the Conference on Security and Co-operation in Europe (CSCE), which led to the signing of the “Helsinki Final Act” in 1975, an agreement that established fundamental principles for governing interstate relations through cooperation. Today, the OSCE comprises 57 participating states, situated in Europe, Asia and Northern America, 6 Mediterranean and 5 Asian Partners for Co-operation. The Organization employs around 3,460 people with the majority of its staff and resources being deployed in its field operations in South-Eastern Europe, Eastern Europe, the South Caucasus and Central Asia.

The OSCE’s view of security refers to its three aspects (“dimensions”), namely, the politico-military; the economic and environmental; and the human.

With regard to the politico-military dimension, the topics addressed within the Organization’s fora include arms control, border management, combating terrorism and conflict prevention. Concerning the Economic and Environmental activities, the OSCE works mainly in areas such as good governance, anti-corruption, anti-money laundering, sustainable management of natural resources and energy security. Last but not least, the Organization’s human dimension aims to ensure full respect of human rights and focuses on human trafficking, democratization, media freedom, gender equality and national minorities.

Each year a different participating State chairs the Organization, with its Foreign Minister serving as Chairperson-in-office. A Ministerial Council Meeting, which is the highest decision-making and governing body of the Organization, is held annually to review the OSCE’s activities and provide directions. The Chairmanship for 2019 is held by Slovakia.

OSCE participating states enjoy equal status and its decisions -which are politically and not legally binding-, are made by consensus.

President

Secretary General

Rapporteur

Agenda

Member States

Observers

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