Central Europe

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Aarhus Centres, long recognized as key platforms for advancing environmental democracy, transparency, and citizen participation, convened for their Annual Meeting on 30 and 31 October at Vienna’s Hofburg Palace and online. Organized by the Office of the Co-ordinator of OSCE Economic and Environmental Activities (OCEEA), the event brought together over 40 representatives of Aarhus Centres, national authorities, international organizations, and civil society.

Participants discussed the role of Aarhus Centres in supporting the implementation of the UNECE Aarhus Convention and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, focusing on access to justice in environmental matters, protection of environmental defenders, and community-based disaster risk reduction.

In his opening remarks, Ambassador Bakyt Dzhusupov, Co-ordinator of OSCE Economic and Environmental Activities, emphasized that the Aarhus Centres play a vital role in promoting environmental democracy and good governance by connecting governments, civil society, and local communities.

Kimmo Laukkanen, Deputy Head of Mission and Head of the Economic and Environmental Dimension Unit of Finland’s 2025 OSCE Chairpersonship, highlighted the importance of engaging citizens, authorities, and the private sector in addressing environmental challenges, while underscoring Finland’s commitment to gender equality and inclusion of youth and persons with disabilities in OSCE activities.

Marco Keiner, Director of the Environment Division at UNECE, underlined the continued relevance of the Aarhus Convention in ensuring environmental rights and accountability.

In his keynote speech, Michel Forst, UN Special Rapporteur on Environmental Defenders under the Aarhus Convention, reaffirmed the need to protect individuals and groups advocating for environmental justice.

The meeting also featured a practical capacity-building session on gender mainstreaming, supporting participants in integrating gender perspectives into climate policy, project management, and the protection of environmental human rights defenders.

The 2025 Aarhus Centres Annual Meeting was made possible through the contributions of Italy, Germany, and Norway to the OSCE extra-budgetary project “Strengthening Aarhus Centres in the OSCE area to promote good environmental governance and sustainable development.”

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On 24 October 2025, concluding national discussions on the draft National Action Plan for 2026–2030 on the Implementation of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security were jointly organized by the OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Uzbekistan, the National Center of the Republic of Uzbekistan for Human Rights, the Senate of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan, and the Committee on Family and Women’s Affairs.

The event brought together government representatives, civil society, academia, and international partners to discuss priorities and measures for advancing the Women, Peace and Security agenda over the next five years. The event was opened by Orzigul Kozikhonova, Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Youth, Women, Culture and Sport, Antti Karttunen, OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Uzbekistan, and Dilnoza Muratova, Deputy Director of the National Center for Human Rights. 

In her opening remarks, Orzigul Kozikhonova emphasized: “The Strategy for Achieving Gender Equality until 2030 is being consistently implemented in Uzbekistan. Last year, an important law was adopted to protect women and children from violence. The next stage is to effectively implement Resolution 1325 and ensure the active participation of women in all spheres of life.” In addition, Antti Karttunen noted “Uzbekistan has already achieved remarkable progress in promoting the Women, Peace and Security agenda. I am confident that continued joint efforts will ensure the new National Action Plan for 2026–2030 will further strengthen these achievements and contribute to lasting results.”

During interactive sessions, participants developed practical recommendations on preventing violence against women and girls, promoting women’s participation in peacebuilding and decision-making processes, raising public awareness, and promoting secure and safe digital environments for women.

599847 Željka Šulc

The OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina (Mission) commends both the City of Novi Travnik and the Municipality of Kakanj on the adoption of the 2025-2028 Community Cohesion Plan as well as those civil society actors and municipal representatives whose collaboration and commitment were instrumental in its development.

In providing a practical roadmap for strengthening community ties and improving everyday life, this plan aims to foster safety and inclusivity; enable swift and coordinated responses to hate crimes and intolerance; empower local institutions to lead with confidence; and create space for dialogue, connections and trust.

With the adoption of this plan, these communities demonstrate that social cohesion is a shared goal and responsibility that contributes to stable, inclusive, and secure societies. Community members, institutions, and leaders should actively participate in turning this plan into real, meaningful action through open, inclusive collaboration that reflects the voices, needs, and hopes of all involved.

The Mission remains ready to support these communities as well as similar efforts across BiH to advance cohesion, inclusion, and mutual respect.

600542 Munira Shoinbekova, OSCE Programme Office in Dushanbe

The OSCE Programme Office in Dushanbe in co-operation with the Academy of Public Administration under the President of the Republic of Tajikistan, concluded a four-day Training of Trainers (ToT) course on “Preventing Violent Extremism and Terrorism” in Varzob district, on the outskirts of Dushanbe, on 28 October 2025.

The training brought together 20 educators, practitioners, and institutional representatives to strengthen national capacities in countering violent extremism through inclusive, rights-based, and context-sensitive approaches. The initiative is part of the OSCE’s comprehensive support to Tajikistan’s efforts to implement its National Strategy on Countering Extremism and Terrorism (2021–2025).

In his opening remarks, Dr. Farkhod Abdurakhmonov, Programme Officer on Counter-Terrorism at the OSCE Programme Office in Dushanbe, emphasized the importance of equipping trainers with tools and methodologies to foster resilience, promote tolerance, and prevent radicalization, particularly among youth and vulnerable communities.

The agenda covered core competencies for trainers in preventing violent extremism, ideological and social drivers of radicalization in Tajikistan, religious literacy and the role of positive Islamic values in promoting peaceful coexistence, as well as legal and institutional frameworks for countering extremism and terrorism. Participants also explored the development of counter-narratives and interactive methodologies for adult learning.

The training featured group work, case study analysis, and practical exercises aimed at enhancing participants’ facilitation, communication, and presentation skills.

The OSCE Programme Office in Dushanbe continues to support national stakeholders in advancing rule of law, human rights, and community-based approaches to security. This training contributes to the Office’s broader mandate to promote stability and inclusive governance in Tajikistan.

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Fifty anti-trafficking practitioners are now equipped with new tools to identify, investigate, and disrupt human trafficking networks, while ensuring strong protections and assistance to victims. This expertise was gained through an intensive international training that concluded today in Brühl, Germany, with participants from Germany, the Netherlands, Romania, Poland, and Bulgaria.

International cooperation was at the heart of the training, as participants learned to navigate different legal systems and enforcement priorities. "You cannot combat human trafficking effectively without understanding the legal mandates and priorities of other countries and agencies, as trafficking often involves cross-border elements," said Jean-Benoit Manhes, Deputy Co-Ordinator of the OSCE Office for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings, during the closing press conference.

The five-day training was co-organized by the OSCE Office of the Special Representative for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings and the International Justice Mission (IJM). It was held at the premises of the State Bureau for Training, Education and Personnel of the North Rhine-Westphalian Police.

Throughout the week, participants immersed themselves in realistic scenarios that mirrored the complex realities faced by trafficking victims today. They tackled cases involving sexual exploitation in nightclubs, labour exploitation at carwash sites, child trafficking, forced criminality, and online exploitation.

The training brought together a wide range of professionals, including prosecutors, labour inspectors, social workers, criminal and financial investigators, lawyers, NGO representatives, and migration officers, who worked side by side to strengthen their individual expertise and their ability to collaborate across agencies.

Launched in 2016, the OSCE simulation-based training exercises have become essential for building the skills and networks needed to identify and assist victims and bring perpetrators to justice, using multi-agency, victim-centered, trauma-informed, gender-sensitive, and human rights-based approaches.

This training was made possible through financial support from the Governments of France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Liechtenstein, Malta, Monaco, Switzerland, and the United States.

For more information on simulation-based training exercises, please visit Simulation-based training | OSCE

This year marks the 25th anniversary of UN Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security - a landmark document recognizing women’s vital role in building peace, stability, and democracy.

For over two decades, the OSCE Mission to Skopje has worked to turn this commitment into action. Working with state institutions and civil society, the Mission has promoted women’s participation in decision-making, strengthened inclusive security, and advanced equal opportunities between women and men to create a solid foundation for lasting peace.

Strengthening Political Participation

Through long-term support to the Parliament, the Mission has helped make it a model of gender-sensitive governance. Consecutive Action Plans for Equal Opportunities between Women and Men, amendments to the Rules of Procedure and targeted training for Members of Parliament and staff have opened doors for more women leaders. Today, women hold 40 per cent of parliamentary seats - one of the highest rates in the region.

Promoting Women’s Leadership in the Security Sector

In partnership with the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Mission launched a Gender Mentoring Programme that has transformed leadership in the police. Since 2017, more than 150 officers - women and men - have participated in the programme while women’s representation in senior police positions has increased by 18 per cent. Similar initiatives are now being adopted in other public institutions, demonstrating that diversity and inclusion contribute to more professional, accountable, and people-centred public services.

Preventing Violence against Women and Girls

The Mission’s cross-dimensional approach strengthens institutional responses and accountability in preventing violence against women and girls. Efforts include training police cadets and officers in gender-sensitive interviewing techniques, improving interview room conditions to protect survivors’ dignity, and developing evidence-based tools for early prevention. In 2025, this work has culminated in the establishment of the Femicide Watch Platform – a collaborative initiative to improve data collection, inter-agency co-ordination and policy action in against femicide.

Bolstering Co-operation between Women and Human Rights Institutions

To help ensure that women’ voices are heard and their rights protected, the Mission has fostered collaboration between women human rights defenders, civil society organizations, and national human rights institutions - including the Ombudsperson Institution and the Commission for Prevention and Protection from Discrimination. This co-operation resulted in a Participatory Gender Audit and an Action Plan on Gender and Diversity Mainstreaming, ensuring that both institutions apply inclusive approaches in their work. Joint training and reporting initiatives have also improved the documentation and response to cases of discrimination and gender-based violence, creating more effective accountability and protection mechanisms.

Embedding Equality in Law and Policy

In co-operation with the Ministry of Labour and Social Policy and the Ministry of Information Society and Administration, in 2024 the Mission helped develop the Handbook on Gender Equality Regulatory Impact Assessment - now a mandatory tool required for reviewing all draft legislation. It ensures that draft legislation is assessed for its impact on women and men, reinforcing fair and inclusive policy-making processes and governance practices.

As the world marks 25 years of the Women, Peace, and Security agenda, the OSCE Mission to Skopje reaffirms its commitment to empowering women and fostering equal opportunities as key to lasting peace and stability.

“Ensuring that women and men have equal opportunities to participate in decision-making is essential for peace and democratic security. Through strong partnerships and sustained commitment, North Macedonia continues to demonstrate that progress is possible when everyone has a voice and a role in shaping the future,” said Ambassador Kilian Wahl, Head of the OSCE Mission to Skopje.

#SheForPeace #WithWomenForPeace #WPSMatters #GenderEquality #OSCESkopje

SKOPJE, 31 October 2025 – International election observers from the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) will hold a press conference to present their findings following the second round of the local elections in North Macedonia.

What:

• A press conference of the ODIHR election observation mission to the second round of the local elections in North Macedonia
• For those unable to attend, you can follow the livestream here

Who:

• Matteo Mecacci, Head of the ODIHR Election Observation Mission
• Stefan Krause, Deputy Head of the ODIHR Election Observation Mission

When:

• 15.00 local time (GMT +1) on 3 November 2025

Where:

• Platinum 1 meeting room, DoubleTree by Hilton, Bulevar ASNOM 17, Skopje

Registration:

• No registration is needed, but only questions from journalists will be taken

This election observation is a mission of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), totalling 23 ODIHR experts and long-term observers.

For more information, please contact:

Katya Andrusz, ODIHR Spokesperson: +48 609 522 266 or katya.andrusz@odihr.pl

600509 Željka Šulc

30 October 2025, SARAJEVO – Recognizing the critical role of K9 units in detecting and preventing crime, law enforcement teams from across Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) showcased their expertise in a skills presentation organized by the OSCE Mission to BiH and the Police Administration of the Ministry of Interior of Sarajevo Canton. The event was held in co-operation with Federal Police Administration and all law enforcement agencies' K9 units in BiH. Eleven teams demonstrated proficiency in three key disciplines: obedience, firearms/explosives detection, and narcotics detection.

"We are at a unique event today – a presentation of skills of police K9 units – which showcases some of the tangible results we have achieved through our through our co-operation with law enforcement agencies in Bosnia and Herzegovina," said Ambassador Rick Holtzapple, Head of the OSCE Mission to BiH. "We will see how capacity building and equipment provision to K9 units fosters operational excellence and inter-agency cooperation. The professionalism and dedication demonstrated by these teams today reflect the significant contribution they make to public safety and security, both nationally and regionally."

The event brought together representatives from the BiH Ministry of Security, the BiH Border Police, entity and cantonal ministries of interior, police administrations, the Brčko District Police, embassies in Sarajevo, as well as international organizations. During the event, the Guidelines, Training Manual, and Training Program Curriculum for K9 Units in BiH were presented. These documents provide dog handlers, instructors, supervisors, and other stakeholders with structured guidance on the effective use, maintenance, and responsibilities associated with K9 operations in law enforcement.

Adis Kilić, Chief Inspector of the Police Administration of the Ministry of Interior of Sarajevo Canton, noted that for decades, his agency has recognized the immeasurable contribution of service dogs in carrying out various police activities and operations. The results of our handlers and service dogs have been acknowledged both in BiH and beyond its borders. "It is of utmost importance that, at both a professional and general level, we contribute to strengthening and improving this area of work within police agencies," said Kilić. "We will continue strategic investments in the development of our K9 capacities. Therefore, the ongoing support of the OSCE Mission to BiH to the work of K9 units is extremely important and yields long-lasting results."

"Sarajevo Canton is the most visited Canton and hosts the largest number of public gatherings each year, attended by hundreds of thousands of people," said Tarik Kršlak, Secretary of the CS Ministry of Interior. "This presents a significant security challenge, which the Police Administration of the Ministry of Interior of Sarajevo Canton successfully addresses, thanks in part to our K9 unit, which is recognized at the international level. On behalf of the Ministry, I would like to thank the OSCE Mission to BiH for their ongoing support in strengthening K9 capacities, including logistics, infrastructure, and training."

This activity is part of a broader effort by the OSCE Mission to BiH to assist police agencies in addressing public and physical security challenges posed by the illicit possession, misuse, and trafficking of small arms, light weapons, and their ammunition. The project received financial support from Austria, the Czech Republic, the European Union, Germany, France, Liechtenstein, Norway, Slovakia, Spain, Türkiye, and the United States.

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The OSCE conducted an introductory two-day workshop on combating money laundering involving virtual assets and blockchain-based finance on 29 and 30 October 2025 in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.

The event brought together around 35 representatives from the General Prosecutor’s Office, the Law Enforcement Academy, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the State Security Service, the Central Bank, and the National Agency for Perspective Projects of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

The workshop aimed to enhance participants’ understanding of blockchain technologies and the associated money-laundering risks of virtual assets. Through practical exercises and case studies, participants explored real-world techniques to trace, analyze, and investigate cryptocurrency transactions, including the use of blockchain forensic tools and tracing software provided through the OSCE.

Sessions covered key topics such as anonymity and pseudonymity in blockchain systems, unspent transaction outputs (UTXO) and account-based tracing models, decentralized exchanges and bridges, and recent cryptocurrency-related investigations, including ransomware, phishing, and asset recovery scenarios.

Opening the event, Zurab Sanikidze, OSCE Senior Project Officer/Project Manager, highlighted that this was the first introductory workshop on virtual assets in Uzbekistan. He reaffirmed OSCE’s commitment to supporting national institutions in enhancing their compliance with international standards and strengthening investigative capacities to address financial crimes involving virtual assets.

“Working on virtual assets is one of our key priorities in today’s modern world. It requires that law enforcement agencies continuously improve their knowledge and practical skills in this field. In this regard, we welcome and appreciate the OSCE’s initiative to conduct this practical workshop and express our readiness for continued co-operation in the future,” stated Sardor Ikramov, Head of the Division of International Co-operation at the Department for Combating Economic Crimes at the General Prosecutor’s Office of Uzbekistan.

The event was organized in co-operation with the OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Uzbekistan, as part of the OSCE extra-budgetary project “Innovative Policy Solutions to Mitigate Money-Laundering Risks of Virtual Assets”, implemented by the Office of the Co-ordinator of OSCE Economic and Environmental Activities (OCEEA). The project receives financial support from Germany, Italy, Poland, Romania, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

600470 Munira Shoinbekova, OSCE Programme Office in Dushanbe

A five-day national simulation-based training on combating trafficking in persons kicked off on 27 October 2025 in Safed-Dara, Tajikistan. The event is co-organized by the OSCE Programme Office in Dushanbe, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) under its EU funded PROTECT initiative within the framework of GLO.ACT programme, and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) Mission in Tajikistan under the project “Improved Prosecution of Trafficking in Persons and Victim Support Phase II.”

Some 45 participants from the Office of the Prosecutor General, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Ministry of Health and Social Protection, Ministry of labor, migration and employment of population, and the NGOs “Femida,” “Caravan of Hope,” and “Mayram” are taking part in the event.

Delivered for the second time in Tajikistan, the training offers front-line responders an opportunity to simulate real-life anti-trafficking responses, using actors to recreate trafficking scenarios. Cases of human trafficking for labour and sexual exploitation will be simulated during the exercise.

Jean-Benoite Manhes, the OSCE Deputy Co-ordinator for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings, said: “The OSCE is proud to support Tajikistan in building institutional capacity, fostering dialogue across sectors, and promoting policies that have a tangible impact. The knowledge and skills you develop here will not remain in this room, they will help improve victim identification, enhance inter-agency co-ordination, and increase the effectiveness of prosecutions and victim support in your daily work.”

“Combating trafficking in human beings is a priority area of the OSCE’s work and one of the prerequisites for achieving comprehensive security across the Organization’s participating States,” said Tatiana Turcan, Acting Head of the OSCE Programme Office in Dushanbe. “The complex and hidden nature of human trafficking requires effective multilateral co-operation to address this phenomenon. I would like to acknowledge the significant efforts made by the Government of Tajikistan over the past year, particularly in increasing trafficking investigations and strengthening co-operation with international organizations on the repatriation of victims. This simulation exercise provides an important platform for collaboration among key stakeholders to protect the rights of victims and ensure the prosecution of perpetrators,” added Turcan.

The live simulation exercise is part of the Programme Office’s ongoing efforts to assist Tajikistan in combating human trafficking and in improving the identification and support of victims through a more co-ordinated approach. It is implemented in line with the recently approved National Action Plan to Combat Trafficking in Human Beings for 2025-2027.

Additional Information – UNODC: The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) is implementing the European Union-(EU) funded PROTECT initiative within the framework of GLO.ACT across Afghanistan (concluded), Iraq, Pakistan, and Tajikistan. This initiative also addresses challenges in the broader Central Asia region, including the Kyrgyz Republic, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan, with a primary focus on enhancing the effectiveness of responses to trafficking in persons (TIP) and smuggling of migrants (SOM), particularly in relation to criminal justice.

For more information about the UNODC EU funded PROTECT initiative, please visit: https://www.unodc.org/unodc/en/human-trafficking/glo-act6/index.html

600458 Željka Šulc

Travnik/Zenica, 29 October 2025 – The Head of the OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina (Mission), Ambassador Rick Holtzapple, visited Central Bosnia Canton (CBC) and Zenica-Doboj Canton (ZDC) to strengthen co-operation with relevant stakeholders.

In Travnik, Ambassador Holtzapple met CBC Prime Minister Tahir Lendo and Travnik Mayor Kenan Dautović to discuss inclusive governance promoting greater social cohesion and increasing anti-corruption efforts. He also met CBC Minister of Education Bojan Domić to exchange views on curriculum reform and the introduction of student-centered learning, while emphasizing ongoing support for schools, teachers, and students.

Meetings with CBC Minister of Interior Feliks Vidović and Police Commissioner Ibrahim Klisura focused on strengthening public safety, enhancing police co-operation, and combatting illegal firearms circulation.

In Zenica, Ambassador Holtzapple met ZDC Prime Minister Nezir Pivić to discuss governance, education reform, and anti-corruption measures, expressing the Mission's support for accountable, citizen-focused institutions. He also met ZDC Anti-Corruption Office Secretary Dževad Fejzić to highlight progress, exchange views on challenges, and underline OSCE support for professional, independent anti-corruption efforts.

The visit highlighted the OSCE Mission's ongoing commitment to fostering transparent, accountable, and citizen-focused institutions, supporting inclusive education, and promoting resilient communities across Bosnia and Herzegovina.

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On 29 October, the OSCE Presence in Albania organized the 11th annual Media Development Forum, which brought together important decision-makers and experts to address two important priorities for Albania’s media landscape: transparency of media ownership and the institutional independence of public broadcaster RTSH.

In his opening remarks, the Head of the OSCE Presence, Ambassador Michel Tarran, emphasized that OSCE commitments are clear: participating States must promote media pluralism, ensure transparency in media ownership, and prevent undue concentration. “Our shared objective should be a media environment in Albania that is diverse, transparent, independent and resilient to political or economic pressures. Above all, one that supports informed public debate and upholds democratic values”, he said.

In a video address from Vienna, the Representative on Freedom of the Media, Ambassador Braathu, expressed his appreciation for hosting the event, noting “the Presence’s continued commitment to advancing media freedom and pluralism in Albania. These are indeed vital conversations, not only to safeguard press freedom but to ensure that media serves as a genuine platform for diverse voices, ethical and responsible journalism and informed public debate.”

The first session focused on media ownership transparency and the risks posed by opaque ownership structures and market concentration. Key contributors included Armela Krasniqi, Chairperson of the Audiovisual Media Authority, who provided insight into regulatory oversight and existing challenges in enforcing transparency requirements, as well as AMA’s publication of the ownership structure transparency database. Prof. Dr Mark Marku from the University of Tirana outlined academic perspectives on media pluralism, alongside editors and media analysts who presented practical concerns regarding editorial independence and economic influence.

The second session concentrated on the independence of Albania’s public broadcaster, RTSH, recognizing its central role in ensuring pluralistic and trusted information. Eni Vasili, Director General of RTSH, addressed ongoing internal efforts and financial pressures that continue to affect independence, while media integrity experts Lutfi Dervishi and Blerjana Bino highlighted the importance of strengthened accountability and public oversight. Alexandros Markou, Editor-in-Chief of ERT3 Thessaloniki, also shared comparative lessons on upholding a strong public service mandate and explored potential collaboration between the two public service broadcasters.

Throughout the Forum, participants agreed that transparent media ownership and an independent public broadcaster are essential to safeguarding public trust and democratic participation. The discussions are expected to contribute to concrete follow-up actions and public recommendations.

VIENNA, 29 October 2025 – The 2025 Economic and Environmental Dimension Implementation Meeting (EEDIM) concluded today in Vienna, providing a platform to review progress in the implementation of OSCE commitments in the field of disaster risk reduction.

Organized by the Office of the Co-ordinator of Economic and Environmental Activities (OCEEA) and the OSCE Chairpersonship of Finland, the event brought together officials from OSCE participating States and Partners for Co-operation, as well as representatives of international organizations, the private sector, academia, and civil society.

At the opening of this year’s Economic and Environmental Dimension Implementation Meeting, OSCE Secretary General Feridun H. Sinirlioğlu underscored the urgent need for cross-border co-operation to address the growing frequency and severity of natural disasters. “As disasters know no borders, international co-operation is essential in addressing these phenomena.”

Ambassador Vesa Häkkinen, Chairperson of the OSCE Permanent Council, noted: “OSCE’s work on disaster risk reduction is more important than ever, with impacts of climate change exacerbating the frequency and magnitude of disasters.” He added: “In disaster risk context, it is also valuable to highlight Ukraine’s experience and resilience in the face of Russia’s illegal war of aggression.”

This year’s EEDIM focused on strengthening resilience and security through an integrated approach to disaster risk management, climate change mitigation, and adaptation. Participants explored ways to promote an inclusive approach and innovative technologies to effectively reduce disaster risk across the OSCE region.

“Disaster risk reduction can provide an opportunity to foster co-operation and build confidence and trust within societies as well as across boundaries,” said the Co-ordinator of OSCE Economic and Environmental Activities Ambassador Bakyt Dzhusupov. “The OSCE, with its comprehensive approach to security, thereby plays an important role in strengthening resilience to disasters.”

Held annually, EEDIM serves as a key platform to review how OSCE participating States are implementing commitments adopted through various Ministerial Council decisions within the Organization’s second dimension.

For more information about EEDIM 2025, please click hereFor more information about the OSCE’s work on disaster risk reduction, please click here

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The Office of the Co-ordinator of OSCE Economic and Environmental Activities (OCEEA) participated in the 2025 World Food Forum (WFF), held from 10 to 17 October at the headquarters of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in Rome, Italy.

The WFF flagship event is a global platform that mobilizes action to transform agrifood systems through the power of young professionals, science and innovation. Bringing together governments, international organizations, academia, private sector actors and civil society, the Forum fosters cross-sectoral and intergenerational collaboration to accelerate progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Earlier this year, the OSCE contributed to a consultative process leading to the development of a Youth Statement for the 2025 Rome Water Dialogue which was presented on 16 October, outlining concrete recommendations and showcasing innovative case studies from young professionals and entrepreneurs across the OSCE area and beyond. The session served as a dedicated space for young professionals to reflect on the Rome Water Dialogue’s outcomes while continuing to share their insights and drive global water action forward.

Moreover, as part of the official WFF programme, the OSCE – in collaboration with the International Secretariat for Water (ISW) and the Water Youth Network (WYN) - organized a dedicated youth side event to highlight the role of young professionals and women leaders in driving water diplomacy processes.

Mr. Lifeng Li, Director of FAO’s Land and Water Division, opened the Youth Assembly Session at the 2025 Rome Water Dialogue, emphasizing the importance of a shared vision in addressing water-related challenges. He underscored that “solutions can only be jointly developed with the fresh eyes and minds of youth.”

The OSCE’s participation in the WFF aimed to contribute to building a sustained and consequential women and youth perspective in upcoming regional and global water-related events and high-level dialogues, including the Rome Water Dialogue and the 2026 UN Water Conference.

Through these initiatives, the OSCE continues to advance its commitment to regional cooperation and inclusive sustainable water management as essential pathways toward peace and security.

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From 13 to 17 October, the OSCE Secretariat organized the second Central Asian Youth Dialogue Forum on Youth Crime Prevention in Issyk-Kul, Kyrgyzstan. The event brought together around 20 young leaders from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan to develop policy recommendations and strengthen youth-led resilience and prevention initiatives across the region.

The Forum served as a regional platform for young people to identify and discuss pressing security challenges related to organized crime and corruption affecting their peers. Through interactive sessions, participants developed concrete policy proposals and innovative ideas to enhance prevention efforts and strengthen youth engagement in policymaking. Their recommendations were presented to representatives of the donor community, international organizations and leading civil society initiatives from across the region.

Among their key recommendations, participants called for the launch of grassroots, youth-led social media campaigns to prevent youth involvement in crime and counter the widespread “quick money” narrative promoted by criminal networks online. They also emphasized the importance of economic empowerment and financial literacy to enable young people to pursue sustainable livelihoods and positive alternatives to crime. Finally, they stressed the need for targeted and individualized approaches to youth crime prevention, addressing underlying root causes such as gender-based and domestic violence, poverty, neglect and parental absence, including in the context of migration.

“We often see how criminal networks exploit young people’s hopes and frustrations. If we don’t give youth real opportunities and positive role models, someone else will,” said Ayaulym, a Forum participant from Kazakhstan.

“Corruption takes away opportunities and public resources that should benefit young people. We need to use technology to make institutions more transparent, accountable and to strengthen a culture of integrity,” highlighted Abunasar, a participant from Tajikistan. 

The Forum was held as part of the OSCE-wide multi-year extrabudgetary project: “Enhancing youth crime and drug use prevention through education on legality and awareness campaigns addressing threats of organized crime and corruption”, and was funded by Germany. Other donors supporting this project are Andorra, Finland, Italy, Norway and Poland.

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From 21 to 24 October, the OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Uzbekistan, with the support of the OSCE Transnational Threats Department, organized a study visit for five digital forensic specialists from Uzbekistan to Moldova. The purpose of the visit was to discuss experiences and lessons learned from setting up digital forensic laboratories and obtaining an international accreditation.

“As we are currently finalizing the construction of our new IT laboratory and soon will start the process for obtaining international accreditation, learning from the experiences of Moldovan colleagues is priceless. Building capacities in this area is a long-term process, but, thanks to the lessons learned from our international partners, we can do so in a much more effective and efficient way,” said Khagani Gadjiev, Acting Head of the Research Institute for Digital Forensics under the Law Enforcement Academy of Uzbekistan.

The study visit included two IT laboratories in the General Inspectorate of Police of Moldova — one in the Forensic and Judicial Expertise Centre and one in the Centre for Combating Cybercrime — and the IT laboratory in the National Anticorruption Centre of Moldova. The discussions revolved around the technical setup, infrastructure and equipment used in the IT laboratories, standard operating procedures and guidelines for various stages of the digital forensic process, practical case studies, and requirements for international accreditation.

“International collaboration is important for the progress in any scientific field. But in case of digital forensics, it is absolutely essential as digital technologies are constantly evolving. We are thus always open to share our experiences with the colleagues from abroad and learn from each other,“ said Ion Gaina, Head of the IT Forensic Department at the Forensic and Judicial Expertise Centre of the General Inspectorate of Police of Moldova.

The study visit was a direct follow-up to the national assessment of digital forensic capacities in Uzbekistan conducted by the OSCE under the second phase of the OSCE’s regional capacity-building project on combating cybercrime in Central Asia. The findings and recommendations from the assessment were summarized in a roadmap for strengthening digital forensic capacities which was presented to the Uzbekistan’s national authorities in July 2025.

600298 Public Affairs Unit, OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights Katya Andrusz

Romania’s May repeat presidential election was efficiently managed, and recent efforts by the authorities to improve electoral integrity were notable. However, the repeat presidential election was marked by insufficient oversight of key aspects of the campaign and concerns over the widespread use of inauthentic behaviour by candidates online. The fundamental freedoms of association and assembly were respected, and voters had a genuine choice of political alternatives. At the same time, the use of eligibility requirements based on court rulings rather than clear legal provisions undermined the inclusivity of candidate registration. Oversight of the online space remained fragmented, and the lack of transparency in the handling of reported violations discouraged public engagement and resulted in self-censorship.

These are some of the main conclusions from the final report, published today by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR). The report offers recommendations to bring elections in Romania closer in line with OSCE commitments and international standards for democratic elections.

Key recommendations include:

• Making greater efforts to promote women’s political participation

• Increasing legal clarity by considering adoption of a unified electoral code for all election types

• Ensuring legal certainty by formalizing amendments introduced through Government Emergency Ordinances or Constitutional Court rulings through the regular parliamentary process with public consultation

• Enhancing transparency and confidence by opening election administration sessions to observers and media

• Protecting the right to stand for election by ensuring candidate eligibility is assessed based on clear, objective criteria established by law rather than Constitutional Court rulings

• Reviewing regulations to ensure social networking platforms implement effective measures against coordinated inauthentic behaviour and disinformation while safeguarding space for genuine political debate online

• Ensuring full transparency of political parties’ media expenditures to enable the public to understand the final beneficiaries

• Reviewing the electoral dispute-resolution framework to allow adequate time for the preparation and adjudication of complaints in order to guarantee effective remedy and due process.

The ODIHR Limited Election Observation Mission to Romania, headed by Eoghan Murphy, started work on 23 March and remained in the country until 25 May.

ODIHR assessed Romania’s efforts to implement previous recommendations. Many previous recommendations remain unaddressed, including those on consolidating the electoral legislation, ensuring transparency and equitable political representation in the election administration, and establishing clear procedures for the verification of support signatures. A full list of recommendations can be found on pages 28-31 of today’s report.

All 57 OSCE participating States have formally committed to follow up promptly on ODIHR’s election assessments and recommendations. The ODIHR Electoral Recommendations Database tracks the extent to which recommendations are implemented across the region.

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Building resilience through strengthened partnerships to address the security implications of climate change was the focus of the OSCE Asian Partners for Co-operation Group meeting held on 24 October 2025 in Vienna.

Participants from OSCE participating States and Asian Partners for Co-operation explored how the challenges caused by changing climate are reshaping security priorities across regions, and how greater co-operation, data sharing and joint policy action can help mitigate risks and enhance collective resilience.

In a keynote address, Mr. Matthew Hudson, acting Assistant Secretary of the Climate Diplomacy Branch, at Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Australia, said that “Our economy, society, national security and conditions for prosperity are so deeply enmeshed in the world, we must understand the range of complex and interrelated climate impacts internationally – as an island nation we rely on the capacity and stability of those around us and the quality of those relationships”.

Speakers further highlighted that the growing frequency and severity of climate-related events acted as a risk multiplier, amplifying pressures on economies, ecosystems and societies. They emphasised that climate change not only affects livelihoods and access to natural resources but can also aggravate tensions and create instability, especially in fragile regions. In this context, effective partnerships, both within and beyond the OSCE area, were seen as vital to developing shared understanding and coordinated responses.

Participants exchanged views on how regional and cross-regional collaboration, including between the OSCE and its Asian Partners, can help advance early warning systems, enhance security assessments, and promote stability. Practical experiences were shared on integrating climate risk reduction into national policies and on fostering inclusive approaches that bring together groups differently impacted by climate change and with distinct knowledge and capacities.

“Tackling climate security is a shared responsibility”, said Deborah Maria Borg, Chairperson of the OSCE Asian Partners for Co-operation Group and Chargé d’Affaires a.i., Delegation of Malta to the OSCE. “As we look into mitigating risks, we need strong partnerships and this is where the OSCE and Asian Partners can make a unique contribution”.

Participants reaffirmed the OSCE’s role as a platform for connecting regions, fostering dialogue and trust and advancing comprehensive approaches to common challenges. They underscored that addressing climate-related security risks collectively is key to preserving resources, enhancing economic resilience and strengthening societal cohesion across the OSCE region and beyond.

Henriikka Ahtiainen Wilhelmina Hindström

Saara-Sofia Sirén, Special Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office on Gender, expresses deep concern over the Latvian Parliament’s decision to advance an initiative to withdraw from the Istanbul Convention.

The Latvian Parliament has taken a step forward with an initiative aimed at withdrawing the country from the Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence, commonly known as the Istanbul Convention. Alarmingly, the proposal received sufficient support to pass the first ballot stage. If Parliament approves the withdrawal in a second vote, Latvia would become the first EU member state to leave the Convention.

“A decision like this represents a serious setback for women’s rights and for efforts to combat violence,” Sirén says.

The Istanbul Convention is the first legally binding instrument in Europe designed to protect women from violence. It obliges states to prevent violence, protect victims, and hold perpetrators accountable.

“The safety of women and girls, their right to protection and to a life free from violence, must not be used as tools in political games. I urge Latvia to uphold its shared international commitments,” Sirén concludes.

VIENNA, 28 October 2025 — The Council of Europe Secretary General, Alain Berset, will address the OSCE Permanent Council at the Vienna Hofburg on Thursday 30 October.

In his address, Secretary General Berset will focus on Europe’s security challenges, calling for a renewed emphasis on democratic security.  In response to rising democratic backsliding and increasing rearmament, Berset will highlight the Council of Europe’s New Democratic Pact for Europe as a collective effort to strengthen Europe’s security architecture and make democracies in Europe more resilient, inclusive, and responsive to contemporary challenges.

Journalists are invited to cover Secretary General Berset’s address at 10:45 am (CET) on Thursday, 30 October (spaces limited).

Following the address to the Permanent Council, a short stand-up press briefing by Secretary General Berset is foreseen tentatively for 11:45 am (CET).

To attend, please register by 12:00 (noon, CET) on Wednesday, 29 October, by sending an email to press@osce.org with your name, outlet and position. Please note that arrival time for the address to the Permanent Council will be at 9:30am (CET).

If you are interested in an individual interview with Council of Europe Secretary General Alain Berset, please contact tatiana.baeva-frachon@coe.int

The OSCE Permanent Council is the decision-making body gathering representatives of all 57 participating States of the Organization and 11 Partners for Co-operation. It convenes weekly in Vienna to discuss developments in the OSCE area.