OSCE

580216 Communication and Media Relations Section

The Parties to the Agreement on Sub-Regional Arms Control, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, the Republic of Croatia and the Republic of Serbia, under the chairmanship of Montenegro, held the XIV Review Conference on the implementation of the Agreement on 5 November 2024.

The Parties expressed their pleasure that the Agreement on Sub-Regional Arms Control has been successfully implemented for almost three decades in the spirit of mutual respect, trust and cooperation. In the course of the implementation of the Agreement, 518 missions were carried out, including a total of 830 inspections with the participation of 1291 assistants and 266 guest observers from the OSCE participating States and the OSCE Conflict Prevention Center.

The Parties emphasized their willingness to take further steps to improve the implementation of and to modernize the Agreement, in order to preserve its relevance in the future.

They emphasized their gratitude to the OSCE Conflict Prevention Center, RACVIAC and the Contact Group countries, as well as to all OSCE participating States for their continued monitoring and support for the successful implementation and affirmation of the Agreement.

They expressed their commitment to continue addressing the issues that can contribute to the further enhancement of the implementation of the Agreement with the aim of promoting mutual cooperation and strengthening peace and stability in South-Eastern Europe.

580168 OSCE Centre in Ashgabat

Best practices from OSCE participating States for developing effective strategies to successfully navigate the WTO accession process were shared during an OSCE-organized seminar that took place on 6 and 7 November 2024.

The two-day seminar showcased successful strategies employed by participating States across the OSCE area during the preparatory phase of WTO accession negotiations. International experts reflected on the state participation in pricing mechanisms and control over national resources in the context of WTO rules as well as measures for ensuring the interests of certain industries during the WTO accession process.

Olivera Zurovac-Kuzman, Economic and Environmental Officer of the OSCE Centre in Ashgabat referred to the Ministerial Council Decision No. 4/16 “Strengthening good governance and promoting connectivity”, which, inter alia, reaffirms "the commitments of OSCE participating States to assist each other to increase the integration of their economies into the international economic and financial system, above all through early accession to the World Trade Organization".

“The OSCE Centre in Ashgabat has been actively co-operating with the Government of Turkmenistan in the areas of economic connectivity, trade and transport facilitation, strengthening customs procedures and improving export mechanisms,” emphasized Zurovac-Kuzman.

“Particular attention was given to supporting the Government's efforts to meet Turkmenistan's relevant international commitments, including those related to the WTO accession process,” she added.

The seminar brought together representatives from the Mejlis of Turkmenistan, Ministry of Finance and Economy, Agency of Transport and Communications under the Cabinet of Ministers of Turkmenistan, State Customs Service and the Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs as well as other relevant ministries and institutions.

The 62nd round of the Geneva International Discussions (GID) took place on 5-6 November 2024 in the Palais des Nations, in accordance with the six-point agreement of 12 August 2008 and the implementing measures of 8 September 2008.

The participants welcomed Magdalena Grono, who officially assumed her duties as EU Special Representative for the South Caucasus and the crisis in Georgia. She co-chaired this round together with her UN and OSCE colleagues, UN Representative to the Geneva International Discussions Cihan Sultanoğlu and Special Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office for the South Caucasus Viorel Moşanu.

In Working Group I, the participants continued their discussion on the implementation of the 2008 six-point agreement, with renewed emphasis and focus on non-use of force and international security arrangements. Despite strongly diverging positions, the participants managed to have exchanges on key developments on the ground.

In Working Group II, discussions focused on several sets of humanitarian issues, including freedom of movement, documentation, livelihoods, education and missing persons. The co-moderators called on all participants to constructively and actively engage on all key agenda items, including internally displaced persons and refugees. However, once again this topic could not be fully addressed, notably due to a walkout by some participants.

All participants underlined the importance of the Geneva International Discussions and reaffirmed their commitment to the platform. They agreed to hold the next round in March 2025.

WASHINGTON D.C., 6 November 2024 – Engagement was high across the political spectrum in yesterday’s US elections that underscored the resilience of the country’s democratic institutions. The presidential vote was highly competitive, but the campaign was marked by deep polarization and harsh and confrontational rhetoric, while public trust was undermined by disinformation campaigns and political violence, international observers said in a statement today.

The joint observation mission from the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) and the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly (OSCE PA) found that while the constitution and a number of federal laws provide a broad and sound framework for holding elections in line with democratic standards, the legal framework has remained mostly unchanged at the federal level since the last elections, leaving most previous ODIHR recommendations unaddressed.

“These elections were a demonstration of the resilience of America’s democratic institutions, as public engagement overcame repeated unfounded claims of elections fraud and divisive rhetoric,” said Pia Kauma, Special Co-ordinator and leader of the OSCE short-term observers. “Especially in this contentious campaign environment, our observations serve to provide a full picture of the situation.”

The elections were organized efficiently and professionally, but threats, harassment, and violence against election administrators were a cause for serious concern and made recruiting election workers a challenge, as well as making additional security measures necessary. Voting technologies were used extensively for voter registration, ballot casting, and vote counting. While a range of useful tools and training were developed to strengthen election safety, concerns about security and assertions from both foreign and domestic sources that sought to sow doubt and delegitimize the electoral process continued to damage public trust.

An estimated 244 million voters were eligible to vote in these elections. Voter ID remained a controversial issue, with supporters claiming the laws safeguard election integrity and opponents arguing they disproportionately affect various minority groups. Certain segments of the U.S. population remain disenfranchised, despite prior ODIHR recommendations. Election day itself was managed professionally in the polling stations visited by observers, with technical problems such as ballot-scanning errors or voter ID mismatches dealt with promptly.

“Disinformation, threats and even cases of political violence have put this country through a stress test, but these elections showed that the democratic processes in the US remain in good health,” said OSCE PA Head of Delegation Pere Joan Pons. “With campaign spending at record high levels in what appears to be continuous ‘campaign inflation’, systems that enable independent groups to circumvent campaign finance regulations must be amended to avoid inequalities.”

While campaign finance is regulated by federal laws and court rulings that contain detailed regulations on the funding of candidates, the campaigns for this year’s election were marked by record high spending, increasing concerns over unregulated financial contributions and disproportionate advantage for candidates with extensive funding.

Civil and political rights were respected throughout the campaign, but it unfolded in a highly polarized environment amidst personal attacks and incidents of election violence including assassination attempts on former President Donald Trump, as well as mutual accusations between the top-running candidates. Repeated claims by Mr. Trump of widespread electoral fraud in the 2020 elections, as well as his refusal to pledge to accept the outcome of this election, fuelled doubts about a peaceful post-election transition.

“The nuts and bolts of the American electoral process are strong and stable, despite deep mistrust among the general public,” said Tamás Meszerics, who headed the ODIHR election observation mission. “But the sharp polarisation we are seeing across the country, reinforced by the echo chambers that many people are locked into also through the partisan media, are a worrying trend that could seriously damage democracy in the long term.”

Freedom of expression was respected throughout the campaign, and the extensive media coverage provided voters with a basis to make an informed choice on election day. However, the majority of media outlets tailored their coverage to partisan audiences, amplifying political messaging and contributing to political polarization. While there is strong legal protection for media freedom, observers regrettably noted increasing cases of intimidation and harassment targeting journalists.

A large number of lawsuits were filed against new electoral legislation and implementing regulations. Courts enjoyed trust in adjudicating these appeals, although observers heard a high expectation for widespread post-election litigation and further appeals on cases currently under review. There is a legal prohibition of international election observation in 17 states, against the commitments made by all 57 states of the OSCE. At the same time, it was positive to note that partisan and non-partisan observers were present on election day in great numbers, making the process more transparent.

The international election observation is a joint mission of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) and the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly (OSCE PA). The observation mission totalled 249 observers from 45 countries, made up of 85 ODIHR-deployed experts and long-term observers, and 164 parliamentarians and staff from the OSCE PA.

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On 4 and 6 November, the OSCE Transnational Threats Department held its third annual training event on international cyber diplomacy in Vienna, Austria. The event gathered 26 participants from Eastern and South-Eastern Europe, Central Asia, South Caucasus and Mongolia to build national capacities to engage in international cyber policy deliberations.

“Inclusivity helps us to make the most of the different expertise and perspectives available, as well as to secure broader support for solutions by ensuring more parties are brought into them from the outset – whether that is regional solutions here at the OSCE or global solutions at the UN,” said Eleanor Rees, the Deputy Head of Cyber Policy Department of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, United Kingdom.

The first edition of this training event was organized in 2022 to underline the importance of participating in international discussions on cyberspace. As these discussions grow in both significance and complexity, it is essential for all states to develop a good understanding of the issues discussed, and to have the resources required to make meaningful contributions.

„While the OSCE mainly focuses on confidence-building measures in cyberspace, our capacity-building activities support the broader implementation of the international framework of responsible state behaviour. This approach resonates with OSCE participating States, as shown by the strong interest in attending this training event” said Szilvia Toth, Cyber Security Officer at the OSCE Transnational Threats Department.  

Speaking on behalf of the United Kingdom as the main activity sponsor, Ms. Rees added that “the UK is delighted to be supporting this third edition of the OSCE’s cyber diplomacy training, which is happily becoming something of an annual tradition. We also supported the first edition back in 2022 and it is great to see how the programme has evolved, meaning that it hopefully remains accessible to colleagues attending for the first time but also offers new elements for those participants returning for the second or third time”.

The training event, organized on the margins of the OSCE’s Informal Working Group established by Permanent Council Decision No. 1039 on the development of confidence-building measures to reduce the risks of conflict stemming from the use of information and communication technologies, was delivered as part of the “Activities and customized support for the implementation of OSCE cyber/ICT security confidence-building measures” project, with the support of the United Kingdom.

VIENNA, 7 November — OSCE Chair-in-Office, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs of Malta Ian Borg, will visit Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Albania from 10 to 13 November.

He will start his visit in Bosnia and Herzegovina on 10 November. During his visit to the country, Chair-in-Office Borg will meet with Foreign Minister Elmedin Konaković, Members of Bosnia and Herzegovina Presidency, the Collegium of both Parliamentary Assembly Houses, and the Council of Ministers Chairperson, Borjana Krišto. The Chair will deliver opening remarks at an event marking the 30th anniversary of Bosnia and Herzegovina signing the OSCE Code of Conduct on Politico-Military Aspects of Security. He will also meet with civil society organizations in Konjic and visit the OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina.

On 12 November, Chair-in-Office Borg will visit Montenegro, where he will meet with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Ervin Ibrahimović. During his visit he will also visit the OSCE Mission to Montenegro and meet with civil society organizations.

In the afternoon, the Chair will travel to North Macedonia, where he will meet with Speaker of the Assembly Afrim Gashi, Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski, and Foreign Minister Timcho Mucunski. He will also attend a meeting with the OSCE Troika, together with the Foreign Ministers of North Macedonia and Finland. During his trip, Chair-in-Office Borg will also visit the OSCE Mission to Skopje and will meet with civil society organizations.

On 13 November, the final day of his visit, Chair-in-Office Borg will travel to Albania. He will meet with President Bajram Begaj, and Minister of Europe and Foreign Affairs Igli Hasani. Chair-in-Office Borg will also visit the OSCE Presence in Albania and will meet with representatives from civil society organizations.  

Press Opportunities

In Bosnia and Herzegovina, Chair-in-Office Borg will deliver remarks to the press on 11 November from 10:30 to 10:45 at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. An invitation will follow from the MFA. 

In Montenegro, Chair-in-Office Borg will deliver remarks to the press on 12 November from 10:00 to 10:15 at Villa Gorica. An invitation will follow from the MFA. 

In North Macedonia Chair-in-Office Borg will deliver remarks to the press on 12 November from 17:30 to 17:45 at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. An invitation will follow from the MFA. 

In Albania, Chair-in-Office Borg will deliver remarks to the press on 13 November from 10:15 – 10:30 at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Statements will be made available by the MFA. 

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Cryptocurrencies and other virtual assets can present a wide range of risks, including money laundering, terrorist financing, and fraud. To strengthen Moldova’s crypto-related crime investigation capacities, the Office of the Co-ordinator of OSCE Economic and Environmental Activities (OCEEA), in partnership with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), gathered 25 representatives from the law enforcement agencies in Chisinau from 6 to 8 November for a targeted training session to foster their expertise in this area.

Training participants became acquainted with advanced techniques and practical skills in the field, including methods for tracing criminal transactions across different blockchains, case studies highlighting real-world scenarios, and best practices from other law enforcement agencies.

“The rise of financial crime involving crypto-assets is a global trend. We’re witnessing an increase in criminal activity leveraging virtual assets, with new methods and obfuscation techniques constantly emerging. As criminals continue to adapt, it’s essential that we stay ahead of the curve by understanding these trends and honing our skills to track and investigate illicit transactions effectively,” said Maksym Mishalov Dragunov, Assistant project Officer at OCEEA.

“Equipping Moldova with the tools and knowledge to investigate complex virtual asset transactions is one of our project’s key objectives and directly feeds into the OSCE’s mission of increasing security across all dimensions,” he added.

The training is part of an OSCE extra-budgetary project on “Innovative policy solutions to mitigate money-laundering risks of virtual assets”, funded by Germany, Italy, Poland, Romania, the United Kingdom and the United States. The project supports OSCE participating States in building national capacities to mitigate criminal risks related to virtual assets.

579928 Munira Shoinbekova, OSCE Programme Office in Dushanbe

On 1 November 2024, nineteen officers from the Tajik Border Troops successfully completed an intensive three-week Operational Planning Training (OPT) course. This achievement marks a significant milestone in the OSCE’s efforts to strengthen border security along the Tajikistan-Afghanistan border.

The course, held at the OSCE Programme Office in Dushanbe, provided participants with advanced skills in the Military Decision-Making Process, a UN-standard operational planning methodology widely used by security forces worldwide. Two international experts with extensive experience in military operations and border security, including service with the UN, NATO, and FRONTEX, led the training. The training course focused on systematic approaches to tackle complex border security challenges.

A unique aspect of the course was the involvement of three former OPT graduates from the Tajik Border Troops who served as assistant instructors. This participation underscores the sustainable impact of the OSCE’s capacity-building efforts. Participants engaged in realistic scenarios that addressed security threats, criminal activities, and humanitarian challenges specific to the Tajikistan-Afghanistan border.

Tatiana Turcan, Deputy Head of the OSCE Programme Office in Dushanbe, said during the graduation ceremony: “The skills you’ve developed here are not merely academic exercises. They are practical tools that will help you protect Tajikistan’s borders and contribute to regional stability. The challenges along the Afghan border are complex and evolving, but you now possess a proven methodology to analyze problems, develop solutions, and implement effective operations.”

The French Ambassador to Tajikistan, H.E. Elsa Pignol, and the German Ambassador to Tajikistan, H.E. York Schuegraf, visited the course on 31 October to witness firsthand the practical application of operational planning methodologies. Their visit highlighted the international community's commitment to supporting border security in Central Asia.

The event is conducted in the framework of the OSCE’s Patrol Field Capacity Building project, now in its second phase, which is generously supported by France, Germany, and the United States. The OSCE Programme Office in Dushanbe continues to support Tajikistan's border security efforts through various capacity-building initiatives, contributing to the stability of Tajikistan, Central Asia, and the wider OSCE region.

579880 Željka Šulc

Sarajevo, 5 November 2024 – Today, the OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina (Mission) marked a significant milestone in its ongoing initiative to strengthen gender representation in law enforcement through the provision of IT equipment to the Police Women’s Network Association and the RS Ministry of Interior Women’s Network (RS WPON). This handover is part of the broader OSCE-led ExB project, “Addressing Security and Safety Risks of Illegal Possession, Misuse, and Trafficking of Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW) and Their Ammunition in Bosnia and Herzegovina,” supported by Austria (in-kind contribution), Czechia, the European Union (EU), France, Germany, Liechtenstein, Norway, Slovakia, Türkiye, and the United States (US).

The project aims to tackle critical security risks associated with SALW and actively integrates gender perspectives to enhance the project’s impact on community safety and public trust. By supporting women’s police networks, the OSCE strengthens the role of women in managing and controlling SALW, acknowledging their essential contributions to combatting crime and promoting stability.

During the ceremony, Ambassador Brian Aggeler, Head of the OSCE Mission to BiH, emphasized the importance of this initiative, stating: “This support highlights our commitment to inclusive policing by equipping these networks with resources to tackle the pressing challenge of firearm-related domestic and gender-based violence.” Ambassador Aggeler also underscored that women’s representation in SALW control contributes not only to more effective law enforcement but also to organizational changes that recognize the significance of diverse perspectives in public safety.

Mr. Spencer M. Fields, Deputy Arms Control Delegate from the U.S. Mission to the OSCE, praised the OSCE Mission's dedication to gender equality and security, noting the positive impact of the Police Women’s Network Association and RS WPON on safety in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The project’s gender-relevant activities are supported by international gender consultants and aim to foster an inclusive approach to security. These efforts include specialized training for law enforcement agencies, strategies to prevent firearm-related domestic violence, and the promotion of women’s leadership within policing frameworks.

Today’s event highlights the OSCE’s commitment to reinforcing security measures that recognize and address the unique roles of women in law enforcement, ultimately contributing to a safer, more inclusive Bosnia and Herzegovina.

SKOPJE, 5 November 2024 — Organized crime poses an urgent threat in South-Eastern Europe, with illegal arms trafficking and migrant smuggling jeopardizing regional and global security. To confront these issues and drive concerted action across the region, the OSCE Mission to Skopje, in co-operation with EU4FAST, is hosting a High-Level Police and Customs Co-operation Conference in Skopje from 5 to 7 November.

High-level politicians, police and customs directors, law enforcement officials, security experts, and representatives from international partner organizations are convening to strengthen regional co-operation between police and customs authorities. Their goal is to develop co-ordinated strategies to tackle the complex, evolving threats of small arms and light weapons (SALW) trafficking and migrant smuggling.

“Why are we here today? Because - let us be frank – South-Eastern Europe unfortunately remains a focal point for illicit arms trafficking and migrant smuggling. The region is awash with weapons. And all of us in the room are aware of the infamous Balkan Routes,” said Ambassador Kilian Wahl, Head of Mission at the OSCE Mission to Skopje.

Weapons trafficked from the region not only exacerbate violence locally but also contribute to crime and instability worldwide. Arms trafficking fuels organized crime and poses serious risks to public safety, contributing to domestic violence, homicide, and gender-based violence.

“This event, which initiates stronger institutional co-operation at the international and national levels, will contribute to the functionality of security systems that are vital pillars for the safety of citizens and democratic values. The fight against organized and transnational crime necessitates that we all put forth maximum efforts and resources, especially in cross-border police and customs co-operation, as a key factor in efficiently tackling this threat,” highlighted Panche Toshkovski, Interior Minister of the Republic of North Macedonia.

Organized crime networks continue to grow in complexity and reach, requiring greater co-operation. This conference aims to provide the groundwork for increased information sharing across the region and beyond by presenting transnational information-sharing systems such as the Secure Information Exchange Network Application – SIENA. The forum also brings together critical stakeholders to share their experiences, present trends at border crossings, and discuss response mechanisms.

“I am pleased that North Macedonia has recognized the problem, and we are honoured to support the country,” Ambassador Kilian Wahl emphasized. “We are starting to see the impact: progress has been made in South-Eastern Europe, with a 20% increase in large-scale seizures. We can all be proud of these tangible results. Yet, we must acknowledge that despite these efforts, the proliferation of illicit firearms remains a serious concern, underscoring the need for continued regional action to reduce their flow.”

The conference marks a critical step in building partnerships, sharing intelligence, and advancing actionable solutions, laying the foundation for similar initiatives in the future. Together with the Ministry of Interior and regional partners, the OSCE Mission to Skopje remains committed to driving forward these efforts and strengthening the region’s resilience against organized crime.

THE HAGUE, 6 November 2024 – “This Award for Natur og Ungdom is a recommendation and a reminder that human rights violations cannot go unresolved,” said Gytis Blaževičius, Leader of Natur og Ungdom, when receiving the 2024 Max van der Stoel Award today.

“Western countries also have to walk the talk,” he added.

“It is a no brainer that all people, and especially minorities, have to be included and respected in the decision processes regarding the climate transition we have to go through. The transition has to be safe and just for everyone,” said Natur og Ungdom member and Sámi activist Elisabeth Regine Myrland.

They received the 2024 Max van der Stoel Award on behalf of Natur og Ungdom from Norway (Nature and Youth / Young Friends of the Earth Norway) at a ceremony attended by representatives from governments, civil society and international organizations at the Peace Palace in The Hague.

Presenting the award on behalf of the Foreign Affairs Ministry of the Netherlands, Paul van den IJssel, Ambassador for International Organisations, said “The work of Natur og Ungdom has not only helped safeguard Sámi traditions and culture but has also raised awareness of the vital role the Sámi play in preserving Norway’s natural environment. Their advocacy is a reminder that the protection of cultural heritage and environmental stewardship are interconnected. In protecting the rights of minorities, we protect our shared future. 

“So, it is with great pride and admiration that I congratulate Natur og Ungdom for their tireless efforts and remarkable achievements. Their work stands as an inspiring example of what can be accomplished when we recognize the strength in diversity. This work demands patience and resilience, and I wholeheartedly applaud Natur og Ungdom for it.”

OSCE Chair-in-Office, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Malta Ian Borg, extended his congratulations to the winners through a video message. In his address, Chair-in-Office Borg underlined that, “National minorities often face unique challenges, and their voices must be heard, particularly when it comes to decisions that affect their way of life and the environment they depend on. Natur og Ungdom’s work serves as a powerful example of how we can build bridges between communities to address these challenges together.”

Speaking on behalf of the Jury in his capacity as Chair of the 2024 Max van der Stoel Award Jury, former OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities Kairat Abdrakhmanov said: “Natur og Ungdom provides an effective platform for young people aged between 13 and 25 from all communities in Norway to participate in public life. They advance the interests of minorities by giving a voice to Sámi youth, empowering them to protect their rights and traditional culture, and raising public awareness about the vital role that Sámi communities play in preserving and protecting Norway’s environmental heritage.”

“I am grateful for the opportunity to congratulate Natur og Ungdom as the first Norwegian recipient of the Max van der Stoel Award,” said Ellen Svendsen, Permanent Representative of Norway to the OSCE. “Their dedication to empowering youth, advocating for the environment, and fostering community engagement plays a crucial role in creating a more viable future. The youth are not just the future, they are the present,” Svendsen concluded.

The Max van der Stoel Award – a prize of €50,000 – has been organized by the office of the High Commissioner on National Minorities and sponsored by the Dutch Foreign Ministry every two years since 2003. It is presented to a person, group or institution, in recognition of their extraordinary and outstanding achievements in improving the position of national minorities across the OSCE countries.

Max van der Stoel was appointed as the first OSCE High Commissioner in 1992 and served eight and a half years in the post. He was twice Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands, and held seats in both the upper and lower houses of the Dutch Parliament. He served as Permanent Representative of the Netherlands to the United Nations and was awarded the honorary title of Minister of State by the then Queen Beatrix.

Event material can be found here.

CHISINAU, 4 November 2024 – The 3 November second round of Moldova’s presidential election was administered efficiently and professionally, and offered voters a choice between genuine political alternatives, international observers said in a statement of preliminary findings and conclusions today. Candidates were able to campaign freely, but the quiet, ten-day campaign was marked by an increase in negative rhetoric from across the political spectrum targeting both contestants, often spread through online social networks. The challenges posed by foreign interference and vote-buying continued to reverberate during the run-off campaign, the statement says.

The presidential election was conducted under the 2022 Electoral Code, which, despite frequent revisions, provides an adequate basis for holding democratic elections. The application of general regulations to the short second-round period resulted in conflicting provisions and ambiguities, limiting the effectiveness of legal remedies and campaign opportunities, while overly burdensome financial reporting requirements, combined with limited disclosure, negatively impacted the transparency of campaign finances for the second round. The incumbent, Maia Sandu, continued to benefit from the misuse of public resources, albeit this was significantly less widespread than in the first round, and from unbalanced media coverage. This did not provide the contestants with equal opportunities, the observers said.

“The high voter engagement, by women in particular, both in Moldova and abroad, reflects a strong commitment to shaping the country’s future. This process was well managed at polling stations and demonstrates that Moldovans across political views can come together and communicate openly and respectfully,” said Lucie Potůčková, the Special Co-ordinator and leader of the OSCE short-term observers, and Head of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly delegation. “Despite the polarization often highlighted on social media, these interactions serve as a reminder of the resilience of real-life connections and dialogue. I commend the Moldovan authorities for their efforts to protect the integrity of the election, countering foreign interference, and ensuring a peaceful and secure voting environment. Such measures strengthen trust in democracy and highlight the unity that lies beneath differing perspectives.”

The run-off was held amid continuing investigations into interference from abroad and vote-buying schemes intended to influence the outcomes of the first-round, and the constitutional referendum that was held simultaneously. These investigations included detentions, searches of premises, the seizure of materials, and the issuing of fines.

"These elections were organized under extremely challenging circumstances, facing unprecedented schemes to corrupt the electoral process. Despite this, the electoral administration deserves our full recognition for a job well done. None of this would have been possible without the hundreds of committed women working at polling stations," said Jone Blikra, Head of the PACE delegation. “The second round has, unfortunately, confirmed how deeply divided Moldova truly is. The president-elect will need to build bridges to heal these societal rifts, especially with parliamentary elections on the horizon next year."

Overall, the media provided voters with sufficient information to make an informed choice, including through a debate between the two candidates. The public broadcaster provided more coverage of the two candidates in the second round, although a large portion of its radio coverage was devoted to the government, without critical analysis. Media monitoring showed that, while the four television channels monitored devoted fairly equal amounts of airtime in their newscasts to both candidates, they displayed a concerning bias in their tone, with coverage of Sandu almost exclusively positive or neutral, while that of her opponent, Alexandr Stoianoglo, was more critical, including in less positive and some negative coverage in editorial programmes.

Preparations for the second round were efficient and professional, and the election administration met legal deadlines. The Central Election Commission continued to work in a collegial and transparent manner and held open sessions. The Commission continued its voter education programme between rounds, including through dedicated materials for students and first-time voters.

“We praise the Moldovan people for running the presidential election professionally and with an extraordinary sense of duty and dedication, despite the continued massive interference from Russia and Russian-sponsored actors,“ said Marta Temido, Head of the European Parliament delegation. “The determination of the Moldovan authorities and people to protect the integrity of the democratic process was noticeable during this second round. We encourage the authorities to continue these efforts in view of next year‘s parliamentary elections, and we will stand ready to support Moldova in defending its democracy.“

Election day was generally calm and well-organized, and the voting process was assessed overwhelmingly positively by the observers, with only a few procedural problems noted. The vote count and tabulation were assessed positively overall.

“In our team’s assessment of the process, we saw that the lack of regulations adapted for the second round of the campaign created some challenges for candidates and impacted the transparency of campaign finance, for example. Our media monitoring also showed bias benefiting the incumbent”, said Urszula Gacek, Head of the election observation mission from the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights. “Our role as ODIHR is to help Moldova in addressing these and other issues we note in our observations, and we will be providing concrete recommendations that we hope will benefit Moldova’s electoral processes in the future.”

In the period leading up to the run-off, the observers also monitored the tabulation of the first-round and constitutional referendum results, and the resolution of related appeals. On 31 October the Constitutional Court certified that the “Yes” position had passed, interpreting the law as establishing the results based on valid votes cast. Voters and contestants had the opportunity to file complaints about election day violations and to appeal results, but the failure to register certain complaints and questions over which mechanisms were appropriate for appealing certain issues limited access to legal remedies.

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On 31 October 2024, the OSCE Project Co-Ordinator in Uzbekistan (PCUz), in collaboration with the National Human Rights Center (NHRC) of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the Department of Penal Correction under the Ministry of Internal Affairs, hosted a roundtable discussion between representatives of the penitentiary services of Norway and Uzbekistan on the topic of "Gender sensitive prison management strategies: good practices and challenges".

During their introductory speeches, Akmal Saidov, First Deputy Speaker of the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis, Director of the NHRC, and Ms. Silke Kloever, Acting Head of Mission, OSCE PCUz, stressed the significance of promoting gender equality in managing penitentiary services and highlighted the event as an excellent demonstration of how international collaboration can help drive meaningful progress.

Eighteen members from correctional service agencies took part in a virtual conversation focusing on the management methods for female correctional facilities in Uzbekistan and Norway. The keynote speakers, a Senior Advisor of the Directorate of Norwegian Correctional Service and the Head of Women’s Penal Colony from Uzbekistan, presented the national methodologies and approaches in managing penitentiary institutions in their respective jurisdictions. Both presentations outlined a strategy of protecting the dignity of female detainees in penitentiary system and facilitating their satisfactory reintegration into society.

During the roundtable, participants had the opportunity to review current good practices for supporting women in detention. Moreover, the participants discussed gender-specific needs and possible collaborations in correctional settings between the two countries, emphasizing the significance of implementing international human rights protection practices that cater to the individual needs of every woman.

WASHINGTON D.C., 2 November 2024 – International election observers will hold a press conference to present their findings following the general elections in the United States.

What:

• A press conference of the international election observation mission to the general elections in the US
• Journalists can attend in person or via Zoom (details below)
• The press conference will also be livestreamed here

Who:

• Pia Kauma, Special Co-ordinator and leader of the OSCE short-term observers
• Pere Joan Pons, Head of the OSCE PA delegation
• Tamás Meszerics, Head of the ODIHR election observation mission

When:

• 15:00 local time (GMT -5) on 6 November 2024

Where:

• Grand Ballroom, Washington Marriott at Metro Center, 775 12th St NW, Washington D.C. 

Registration:

• To take part via Zoom, please register by 11:00 local time on 6 November using the following link
• To attend in person, please register here      

The international election observation is a joint mission of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) and the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly (OSCE PA). The observation mission totals 253 observers, made up of 85 ODIHR-deployed experts and long-term observers, and 168 parliamentarians and staff from the OSCE PA.

For more information, please contact:

Katya Andrusz, ODIHR: katya.andrusz@odihr.pl or +48 609 522 266
Nat Parry, OSCE PA: nat@oscepa.dk or +45 601 08 177

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A strong, active and independent civil society is essential for maintaining healthy democracies. The 2025 parliamentary elections mark an important moment for the local civil society organizations to play a crucial role in observing elections, identifying and referring potential irregularities to respective institutions, and contributing to the transparency and fairness of the electoral process.

In this context, on 1 November 2024, the OSCE Presence hosted an insightful meeting of the International Election Working Group with some main civil society organizations actively working on elections.

Representatives from the civil society organizations informed the participants from the OSCE participating States and international organizations in Albania of their views on the current electoral environment, the challenges they face, and shared their perspectives aimed at making the upcoming elections more fair, inclusive, and accessible to different communities.

They voiced concerns over recent electoral reform efforts, describing them as insufficient in addressing OSCE/ODIHR and civil society recommendations. They also highlighted specific, recurring election-related challenges that, if unaddressed, are likely to persist in the upcoming 2025 elections.

All participants put the emphasis on the need to strengthening collaboration and support for a meaningful engagement of civil society in the future electoral processes.

The International Election Working Group is a forum initiated by the OSCE Presence in Albania, meeting periodically to exchange information and co-ordinate stances and assistance on electoral issues.

The OSCE Presence in Albania has strengthened efforts in the fight against human trafficking by organizing a series of six local-level meetings with prosecutors and police officers throughout September and October 2024. The meetings aimed to address challenges in investigating and prosecuting human trafficking cases and were led by a specialized Task Force under an OSCE project. This Task Force includes representatives from the High Court, High Prosecutorial Council, General Prosecution Office, Special Prosecution Office against Corruption and Organized Crime, Ministry of Interior, and the General Directorate of State Police.

In the meetings, key recommendations were put forward by the Task Force to enhance human trafficking investigations, focusing on a victim-centred, multi-agency approach. These events brought together 29 police officers and 20 prosecutors, many of whom hold senior roles as regional prosecution heads and police directors. These professionals engaged in comprehensive discussions, sharing insights on complex cases and identifying areas for structural improvements in combating trafficking.

The discussions emphasized the importance of establishing dedicated anti-trafficking units and fostering stronger collaboration across various agencies to streamline case investigations, strengthen evidence collection, and improve prosecution outcomes. Special attention was given to the 2022 Unifying Decision by Albania’s High Court on Human Trafficking and the Guideline from the General Prosecutor's Office, which incorporates a monitoring mechanism for trafficking case prosecutions, in line with OSCE recommendations.

This initiative highlighted the need for deeper understanding of the complexities surrounding human trafficking to boost victim protection and enhance Albania’s ability to prevent and prosecute related crimes effectively.

These meetings are part of the second phase of the OSCE Presence’s project titled, “Strengthening Albania’s law-enforcement and prosecution capacities and multi-agency co-operation in combatting trafficking in human beings.” This project, funded by the United Kingdom, Norway, Italy, and Ireland, follows a successful first phase that produced a Scoping Study on human trafficking investigations and prosecutions. The findings from this study have been endorsed by institutions within the Task Force and regional meetings.

579736 Participants of the 2024 Central Asian Youth Forum on Combating Human Trafficking, 28 October 2024, Issyk-Kul. Chyngyz Zhanybekov Aida Almazbekova

From 28 to 31 October, the 2024 Central Asian Youth Forum on Combating Human Trafficking brought together young leaders, activists, and experts from across the region to address the gender dimensions of trafficking in human beings. Held in the Issyk-Kul province of Kyrgyzstan, the forum concluded with the development of a regional co-operation plan for 2025 and a media campaign.

Participants from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan gained insights into the gendered aspects of human trafficking, the risks of illegal migration, and international labour and human rights standards. Recognising trafficking as a form of gender-based violence, they explored preventive strategies to strengthen anti-trafficking policies in the region.

The forum served as a networking platform for Central Asian youth, providing them with hands-on experience and sharing good practices to strehngthen regional co-operation against human trafficking.

Dr. Kari Johnstone, OSCE Special Representative and Co-ordinator for Combating Human Trafficking, highlighted the significant role of youth: “Young people bring fresh perspectives, innovative thinking, and a deep understanding of social media and technology—tools that traffickers often exploit, yet which can also be powerful weapons against them.”

The event was organised by the OSCE Programme Office in Bishkek and the Migration and Human Trafficking Council under the Speaker of the Kyrgyz Republic Parliament, in collaboration with the OSCE Programme Office in Astana, the OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Uzbekistan, and the Solidarity Center.

579718 Communication and Media Relations Section

Model OSCE, a three-day initiative that brought together 23 young participants in Belgrade last week, convened people between 18 and 30 years old to gain hands-on experience in multilateral diplomacy and decision-making processes. The event, which took place from 29 to 31 October, hosted 13 young women and 10 young men from across the region.

The participants, representing the diversity of the South-Eastern Europe region, had the opportunity to simulate consensus-based negotiations involving OSCE participating States. Through this immersive experience, they gained practical insights into the OSCE's comprehensive approach to security and its emphasis on dialogue and co-operation.

“As a former Member of Parliament in Malta, I’ve seen both the highs and lows of public life. It’s crucial that youth aren’t just invited to discussions but have their perspectives actively integrated into decision-making,” said Oliver Scicluna, Special Representative of the OSCE Chair-in-Office on Youth. “We need inclusive processes to ensure their voices shape public policies.”

The event served as a platform to not only expand the participants' knowledge of the Organization’s work but also to sharpen their negotiation skills in a multilateral setting. The project reflects OSCE's commitment to advancing the youth and security agenda by building the capacities of young people to contribute to regional and international peace and security.

“Dialogue and negotiations can be challenging. They require respect, trust, understanding and - most importantly, talking and listening to one another with an open mind to overcome disagreement and reach compromises and ultimately consensus,” said Head of the OSCE Mission to Serbia Ambassador Jan Braathu in his address to the participants.

Participants specifically highlighted the importance of experience exchange with diplomats and public figures who provided them with guidance and unique insights from their exposure to global challenges and negotiations tactics. In addition, they stressed the application of negotiation techniques in a simulation exercise that allowed them to be better prepared for problem-solving and communication.

The Extra-budgetary Project “Accelerating the implementation of the Youth and Security Agenda in the OSCE region” continues to drive efforts to empower young leaders in South-Eastern Europe and beyond, fostering their potential to shape the future of security and co-operation in the OSCE region.

579703 Munira Shoinbekova, OSCE Programme Office in Dushanbe

On 11-12 and 22-23 October 2024, the OSCE Programme Office in Dushanbe supported two two-day training sessions focused on integrity and anti-corruption for 38 representatives from the education and health sectors, including from relevant ministries and departments. The training sessions were conducted by eight trainers from the Academy of Public Administration (APA) in Dushanbe at the APA's Professional Development Center for Employees in Charge of Combating Corruption.  

During the sessions, participants were introduced to the key elements of the main strategic policy document, the State Anti-Corruption Strategy until 2030, as well as national anti-corruption legislation, including the 2020 Law on Combating Corruption and the 2012 Law on Anti-Corruption Screening of Normative-Legal Acts and Draft Normative-Legal Acts. The training also addressed social and psychological aspects of corruption, corruption risk analysis, and international best practices.

This initiative is part of the ongoing support provided by the OSCE Programme Office in Dushanbe to Tajikistan in promoting good governance and implementing the State Anti-Corruption Strategy in line with international standards.

579625 Željka Šulc

Mostar, 31 October 2024 - The OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina (Mission), in co-operation with the Center against Trafficking in Works of Art (CPKU) and the Agency for Education and Professional Training Mostar (AEPTM), organized a three-day training on combatting illicit trafficking in cultural property in BiH for representatives and experts from law enforcement agencies, the Prosecutor’s Office of BiH, cultural ministries, academia, and NGOs.

“Smuggling of art and cultural goods represents a threat to security since it is a source of organized crime, as well as the financing of terrorism. This training was an excellent opportunity to provide necessary information that will strengthen the capacities of investigative bodies, and thus improve border security“ explains Dženan Jusufović, President of the Center against Trafficking in Works of Art.

As part of the training, participants discussed the issue of illegal art trade in BiH as well as internationally. The initiatives and conclusions proposed focused on combating organized crime, terrorism, and other offenses caused by illicit art trade. The participants also took part interactive visits to galleries, museums, and damaged archaeological sites. They toured the Franciscan Museum and Gallery in Široki Brijeg, where they learned about preventive protection of public and private collections. During a visit to Tomislavgrad, they focused on the preventive protection of archaeological sites. The attendees also visited the Museum of Fra Jozo Križić in Tomislavgrad, as part of their discussion on illegal archaeological excavations and related illegal activities.

Following this training, the OSCE will launch a social media campaign on the importance of protecting cultural heritage. The campaign will run for two months. Its goal is to inform the broader public on how they can report instances of cultural property trafficking.

“In view of international standards for protection of cultural property and works of art, as well as UNESCO recommendations, BiH needs to develop and harmonize relevant legislation, and establish records, databases and specialized law enforcement units,” said Jiri Rous, Head of the OSCE Mostar Field Office at the training opening.

The OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina remains dedicated to increasing awareness among decision-makers in BiH on how to help prevent and combat art smuggling across the country.