Central Europe

Izjava Misije OSCE-a u BiH Željka Šulc

SARAJEVO, 15 September 2025 - On 10 September 2025, at its 16th regular session, the Brčko District Assembly (BDA) adopted the Law on Professional Rehabilitation and Employment of Persons with Disabilities of Brčko District of BiH (BD). With this, the BD has, for the first time in its history, established a clear legislative framework protecting the rights of persons with disabilities in relation to work and employment. The adoption of this law reflects sustained advocacy by the OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina (Mission), including consistent technical support to the legislative Working Group.

The Mission considers this a significant step forward in protecting the rights of persons with disabilities and commends the proponents, the legislative body, and all who contributed to the development of this law on this important achievement. Certain elements of the law could be further strengthened, and the Mission will continue to monitor and work with stakeholders to enable its timely and full implementation, as well as any subsequent legislative processes to ensure it meets the needs of persons with disabilities.

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On 15 September, the OSCE, in partnership with the National Anticorruption Center (NAC) of Moldova, organized the newest edition of the “Anti-Corruption Café” – an open dialogue platform aimed at promoting integrity and transparency in Moldova.

The event brought together representatives of the Ministry of Education, NAC, and forty-five anti-corruption volunteers and young people for a discussion on how to enhance integrity within the education system. Young attendees actively contributed by posing questions and sharing their views with institutional representatives.

Key topics included strategies to prevent informal payments in schools and universities, ensuring fair and transparent examination processes, and strengthening the involvement of parents and communities in fostering a culture of integrity. Officials from the Ministry and NAC also presented ongoing and planned anti-corruption measures, offering insights into how policies are being implemented to improve transparency and accountability in the education sector.

The second part of the event featured a “Pro-Integrity Test” – an interactive quiz designed to assess and deepen the participants’ knowledge of integrity-related issues. The activity aimed to raise awareness in a dynamic and engaging way, while reinforcing key messages about personal responsibility in the fight against corruption.

This edition of the “Anti-Corruption Café” was implemented within the framework of the OSCE extra-budgetary project “Supporting anti-corruption efforts of the Government of Moldova”, funded by France, Germany, Italy and Romania.

VIENNA/HELSINKI, 15 September 2025 — The OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, Finland’s Minister for Foreign Affairs Elina Valtonen, will visit Belgrade and Prishtinë/Priština from 15 to 16 September.

During the visit, she will hold meetings with high-level officials and discuss security issues across the region. Minister Valtonen will also engage with civil society representatives and visit the OSCE Missions in both cities. In Belgrade, she will meet with beneficiaries of the Center for Youth Integration, while in Prishtinë/Priština she will speak with representatives of the OSCE Dialogue Academy Network of Alumnae.

Press Opportunities

In Belgrade, Chairperson-in-Office Valtonen will deliver remarks to the press on 15 September from 16:05 at the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Serbia. An invitation will follow from the Ministry.

There will also be a photo opportunity at 17:15, in connection with the meeting with beneficiaries of the Center for Youth Integration, address: Café 16, Cetinjska 15a.

In Prishtinë/Priština, Chairperson-in-Office Valtonen will deliver remarks to the press on 16 September from 11:45 at the OSCE Mission in Kosovo headquarters. An invitation will follow from the Mission.

Inquiries

Matias Pajula, Special Adviser to the Minister for Foreign Affairs, tel. +358 295 350 571

Marja Rosvall, Team Leader, Task Force for the Finnish OSCE Chairpersonship, tel. +358 295 350 347

The email addresses of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs are in the format firstname.lastname@gov.fi.

597411 Uzbekistan hosts the first International Forum of Central Asian Commissioners for Children’s Rights/Guzal Fayzieva

The office of the Commissioner for Children’s Rights of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan, with the support of the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) Project Co-ordinator in Uzbekistan, is hosting the first ever International Forum of Central Asian Commissioners for Children’s Rights under the title of   “Current issues in strengthening mechanisms for the protection of children's rights in Central Asian countries: regional cooperation among Children's Rights Commissioners.”

The two-day forum brings together Commissioners for Children’s Rights from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan, as well as from Norway, Croatia and Finland, which currently chairs the European Network of Ombudspersons for Children (ENOC).

The event aims to create an effective regional platform for dialogue and interaction of children's ombudspersons from Central Asian countries.  Further, the regional platform seeks to contribute to a constructive exchange of experience in the field of protecting children's rights, the optimal solution of common problems, the development of common approaches to countering common regional and transnational threats and challenges, as well as strengthening the capacity of children's ombudspersons institutions of the Central Asian countries.

"Political will and joint efforts of the Heads of States of Central Asia are aimed at sustainably creating a space of stability, cooperation, and development in the region. The regional platform of Children’s Ombudspersons will become a practical embodiment of this very idea of unity and shared responsibility on the path to ensuring the well-being of children – the present and the future of our region", said Ms. Surayyo Rakhmonova, Commissioner for Children’s Rights of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

The forum participants will discuss ways to integrate efforts and international initiatives into national strategies and plans aimed at protecting children's rights, as well as strengthening the capacity of the institutions of commissioners for children's rights in Central Asian countries. They pay particular attention to the prospects for the development of interregional and international cooperation of children's ombudspersons offices.

"Protecting children’s rights is not just a legal obligation under the Convention on the Rights of the Child – it is a moral responsibility that defines the kind of societies we are building. And when countries cooperate, when institutions join forces, the impact for children is multiplied", said Ms. Regina Castillo, UNICEF Representative in Uzbekistan.

The agenda of the forum includes such issues as national monitoring of the situation of children in the region; ensuring the safety of children on the Internet; effective mechanisms to prevent all forms of violence against children; ensuring children's access to justice.

Ambassador Antti Karttunen, OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Uzbekistan, said: "This important gathering is a big step forward in protecting child’s rights in Central Asia. It shows our shared commitment and understanding that keeping children safe needs ongoing cooperation, open discussions, and learning from each other. By working together - governments, human rights institutions, civil society organizations, and international partners - we can build stronger systems to make sure every child is safe, protected, and able to grow and succeed."

It is expected that as the final document of the forum, the Declaration of Children's Rights Commissioners of the Central Asian countries will be adopted, which is aimed at further strengthening interregional and international cooperation in the field of ensuring and protecting the rights of the child.

The Forum of Children's Rights Commissioners of the Central Asian countries, organized at the initiative of Uzbekistan, will be held annually. The next forum is planned to be held in 2026 in the Republic of Kazakhstan.

Izjava Misije OSCE-a u BiH Željka Šulc

SARAJEVO, 12 September 2025 - The OSCE Mission to BiH (Mission) strongly condemns the 11 September act of vandalism at the Orthodox cemetery in Pečuj near Zenica and expresses heartfelt sympathy to those affected by the desecration of these tombstones. 

We welcome the solidarity from local actors, including the FBiH Minister of Displaced Persons and Refugees, the Mayor, the Inter-religious Chapter in Zenica, Serb Cultural Association “Prosvjeta”, and the Islamic Community in Zenica.

Religious symbols and sacred sites hold deep significance for individuals and communities and must be respected and protected in full adherence with fundamental human rights, particularly the right to freedom of religion or belief. Every community and individual in Bosnia and Herzegovina, regardless of religious affiliation, must feel safe and respected in public and private expressions of faith and tradition.

The Mission both commends reactions by the community and authorities and calls for swift and impartial investigation of this incident as a first step in ensuring justice. Accountability helps prevent future attacks and reinforces the safety and security of all communities. Such attacks may constitute hate crimes under domestic and international law, and should a bias motive be established, it must be explicitly recognized and prosecuted as such, in line with Bosnia and Herzegovina’s legal obligations and OSCE commitments on addressing hate crimes. 

The Mission urges leaders throughout Bosnia and Herzegovina to demonstrate zero tolerance for bias-motivated violence while promoting dialogue, understanding and mutual respect among all faiths and ethnic groups. The Mission will continue supporting all stakeholders to ensure such incidents are addressed decisively and communities and individuals feel protected. 

PRAGUE, 12 September 2025 — Over 200 participants—including representatives from OSCE participating States, Partners for Co-operation, OSCE structures, civil society, international organizations, and subject-matter experts—gathered in Prague for the Chairpersonship Forum, “Building a Resilient Future in a Changing Climate”, held on 11 and 12 September.

Organized under Finland’s 2025 OSCE Chairpersonship, in co-operation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic, the Office of the Co-ordinator of OSCE Economic and Environmental Activities, and the OSCE Documentation Centre in Prague, the Forum addressed forward-looking ways for participating States to strengthen their resilience and responses to security challenges stemming from climate change.

“As conflicts and wars take center-stage, climate-related risks and environmental degradation are in danger of fading into the background. Russia’s war in Ukraine has placed climate and environmental co-operation in a new and challenging light,” said Elina Valtonen, OSCE Chairperson-in-Office and Minister for Foreign Affairs of Finland. “The OSCE is a particularly suitable forum for discussing the links between climate and security, thanks to its comprehensive security approach, mandate supporting broad dialogue, and framework that allows these connections to be explored holistically.”

The Forum featured a high-level opening with welcoming remarks by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic, Jan Lipavský, OSCE Chairperson-in-Office and Minister for Foreign Affairs of Finland Elina Valtonen, OSCE Secretary General Feridun H. Sinirlioğlu, Ukraine’s Deputy Minister of Economy Pavlo Kartashov, and Co-ordinator of OSCE Economic and Environmental Activities Bakyt Dzhusupov.

Four key thematic sessions focused on investments in climate resilience through a whole-of-society approach, climate action driven by cross-sectoral co-operation, the role of climate data and innovation in the age of information security, and the inclusion and agency of youth in climate security.

A research study commissioned by the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland, “Strengthening the OSCE’s Climate and Security Agenda”, was also presented at the Forum, and a subsequent panel discussion assessed advancing the role of the OSCE in climate change and security.

The Forum reaffirmed that a resilient future in a changing climate is not merely a policy option, but an urgent imperative for sustainable development and regional stability.

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Open data offers timely insights into markets, competitors, and consumers, serving as a key enabler of evidence-based decision-making, financial innovation, and sustainable growth. To promote its use across Ukraine’s business and financial sectors, the Office of the Co-ordinator of OSCE Economic and Environmental Activities (OCEEA) conducted a specialized training course titled “Open Data for business and the financial sector” on 11 and 12 September in Kyiv.

The training course was organized jointly with the Ministry of Digital Transformation of Ukraine and Texty.org.ua, an independent analytical media organization, in partnership with the National Bank of Ukraine, the Association of Ukrainian Banks, and the Office for Entrepreneurship and Export Development.

Forty-five financial and banking analysts, business professionals, and due diligence experts gained practical skills and tailored insights into using open data for research, analysis, and visualization. Topics ranged from market research and analysis to process automation and the development of open data-based start-ups and banking automation solutions.

"Open data is a source of new opportunities for banks and businesses,” said Yanina Liubyva, Head of the Open Data Expert Group of the Ministry of Digital Transformation of Ukraine. “It not only enables a better understanding of customers and the market, but also helps create innovative services, optimize processes, and build trust. Learning how to use open data effectively is a step toward leadership in a competitive environment."

Particularly for banks and financial institutions, open data is increasingly essential for verifying partners’ reliability, assessing creditworthiness, reducing risks, and forecasting trend all of which contribute to competitiveness, innovation, and long-term growth. Through practical exercises, case studies, and success stories, participants were shown how open data can directly strengthen business operations and strategic planning.

"When businesses and financial actors gain the capacity to work effectively with open data, they are better equipped to anticipate risks, seize opportunities, and foster innovation," said Olena Dobrunik, Assistant Project Officer at OCEEA. "Through this training course, the OSCE reaffirms its commitment to helping stakeholders turn data into actionable knowledge, supporting sustainable growth, accountability, and long-term economic stability."

The training was part of the OSCE-wide extrabudgetary project Promoting Good Governance and a Positive Business Climate in the OSCE Region through Digitalization and the Use of Open Data, funded by the United States with additional support from Poland and Norway.

STRASBOURG, 12 September 2025 — National anti-trafficking co-ordinators and rapporteurs reaffirmed their commitment to forge stronger cross-sector partnerships and integrate crisis resilience into anti-trafficking strategies at their largest annual meeting, held from 11 to 12 September at the Council of Europe headquarters in Strasbourg, France.

“Twenty-five years after the adoption of the Palermo Protocol, human trafficking is pervasive in both the digital and physical realms, as criminals adapt to exploit every crisis and vulnerability. While traffickers thrive, victims face crushing barriers to assistance and justice. This stark mismatch between the scale of the crime and our limited results demands transformative action,” said Kari Johnstone, OSCE Special Representative and Co-ordinator for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings.

Representatives from 54 countries across both the OSCE and Council of Europe regions and beyond discussed current human trafficking-related challenges and how to implement international legal standards set out in the Council of Europe’s Convention on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings and the OSCE political commitments.

In her opening remarks, Petya Nestorova, Executive Secretary of the Council of Europe’s Convention on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings, said: “This year marks the 20th anniversary of the adoption of the Council of Europe Convention on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings, which has triggered significant changes in national legislation, policies, and practice. At the same time, new challenges and persistent gaps in the implementation of the Convention require continued commitment and increased investment in training, technological infrastructure, and victim assistance measures.”

Participants discussed crisis-related provisions in National Action Plans for combating human trafficking to enhance preparedness of the national counter-trafficking mechanisms, the links between human trafficking and drugs and forced criminality, and engagement with the private sector in combating human trafficking.

The meeting was co-organized by the Office of the OSCE Special Representative and Co-ordinator for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings and the Council of Europe.

Izjava Misije OSCE-a u BiH Željka Šulc

SARAJEVO, 11 September 2025 - The OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina (Mission) unequivocally condemns all forms of violence, including acts directed against political actors. 

The recent incidents, including yesterday’s attack on Nebojša Vukanović, delegate of the Republika Srpska National Assembly, as well as earlier attacks on BiH Parliamentary Assembly House of Representatives delegate Branislav Borenović and RS Council of Peoples delegate Dževad Mahmutović, represent a deeply concerning pattern.  

The Mission calls the relevant authorities to conduct swift, thorough, and impartial investigations, bringing perpetrators to justice. 

The Mission further calls on all political leaders to refrain from inflammatory rhetoric that could endanger the safety of individuals or contribute to an atmosphere of fear and division within communities.

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The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) actively contributed to the 2025 Annual Summit of the Global Coalition to Fight Financial Crime (GCFFC), held on 10-11 September in Abu Dhabi, UAE. The event brought together over 200 participants from international organizations, FIUs, regulatory authorities, financial institutions, and the private sector. The senior officials, regulators, financial institutions, and international experts to discuss innovative strategies to counter money laundering, corruption, and emerging financial crime risks.

On Day One, Ralf Ernst, Deputy Co-ordinator of OSCE Economic and Environmental Activities, joined the high-level panel “Navigating Uncertain Waters: Reshaping the Capacity Building in International Organizations.” He highlighted the OSCE’s unique role as a platform for knowledge exchange, peer learning, and sustained capacity building across its 57 participating States, stressing the importance of tailored technical assistance and long-term institutional partnerships.

On Day Two, Zurab Sanikidze, Senior Project Officer at the OSCE Secretariat, delivered a keynote presentation during the session on “Implementation of Novel AML and CFT Risks into National Systems.” Drawing from the OSCE’s extra-budgetary project “Innovative Policy Solutions to Mitigate Money-Laundering Risks of Virtual Assets”, his intervention underlined how OSCE support helps participating States integrate FATF standards, risk-based supervision, and blockchain investigation techniques into their national AML/CFT frameworks.

The OSCE is a member of the GCFFC. The OSCE’s engagement at the Summit reinforced its commitment to strengthening financial integrity, combating corruption, and supporting innovative policy solutions that safeguard economies and societies against evolving financial crime threats.

597318 Participants taking part in the training activity./Sezim Kachkynova

From 25 to 29 August 2025, the OSCE Programme Office in Bishkek, with support from the U.S. Embassy in Bishkek, organized a specialized training for 10 (ten) Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) experts of the Border Service of the State Committee for National Security of the Kyrgyz Republic based on the Border Service Training Centre in Osh. The training aimed to enhance the operational capacity of EOD teams to respond to explosive threats safely, effectively, and in line with international best practices.

Conducted within the framework of the extrabudgetary project “Reducing risk of illicit trafficking of SALW, CA and explosives across border of Kyrgyz Republic”, the course introduced participants to the technical use of newly donated equipment. Over five days, officers received theoretical and practical instruction on the operation of a recoilless disruptor/de-armer for neutralizing explosive devices, EOD toolkits for manual disposal procedures, and hook-and-line sets for remotely moving hazardous objects. Additional practical modules covered the use of binoculars for observation, advanced GPS systems for precise location tracking, and metal detectors and marking kits for identifying and marking mines and unexploded ordnance.

Through practical simulation exercises, participants applied the procedures to real-life scenarios, reinforcing their ability to manage explosive threats under field conditions.

This training significantly enhanced the Border Service’s preparedness to conduct EOD operations in compliance with international standards. A follow-up training, in cooperation with Fondation Suisse de Déminage, is scheduled for the second half of 2025.

The initiative forms part of the OSCE’s long-term commitment to strengthening national capacities in the field of security and stability, in line with international norms and best practices. The Training on the operation of EOD equipment is implemented within the framework of the extrabudgetary project “Reducing risk of illicit trafficking of SALW, CA and explosives across border of Kyrgyz Republic,” funded by the US, Germany, Norway, UK as well as Austria and Poland who offer their in-kind (expert) support.

584592 Munira Shoinbekova, OSCE Programme Office in Dushanbe

Dushanbe, Tajikistan, 11 September 2025 — The Chairperson-in-Office’s Special Envoy, Terhi Hakala, will visit Tajikistan to reaffirm the OSCE’s commitment to supporting Tajikistan in border security, disaster risk reduction and emergency preparedness, as well as human rights and gender equality.

During her three-day trip, taking place from 11 to 13 September, Ambassador Hakala will meet with high-level government officials, civil society, and partners to discuss progress across shared priorities between the OSCE and Tajikistan. She will visit the OSCE Programme Office in Dushanbe’s flagship project - the Border Management Staff College, and the OSCE-supported Women’s Resource Centre in the Khatlon region.

Follow Ambassador Hakala’s visit to Tajikistan on OSCE Facebook, Instagram, and X pages: https://www.facebook.com/OSCETajikistan

https://www.instagram.com/oscedushanbe/

https://x.com/OSCEDushanbe

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The OSCE Presence in Albania, with support from the OSCE Transnational Threats Department/Strategic Police Matters Unit and the United States Department of Justice’s International Criminal Investigative Training Assistance Program (ICITAP), organized a two-day regional workshop on the nexus between drug trafficking and violent crime.

Held on 10 and 11 September in Durrës, the workshop brought together senior officials from the Special Structure Against Corruption and Organized Crime (SPAK), the National Bureau of Investigation and the Albanian State Police, as well as representatives from the police forces of Kosovo, Montenegro, and North Macedonia, and from EU national police services. Participants discussed the latest national and regional trends in illicit drug trafficking and the related threats of money laundering, contract killings, extortion and other severe forms of violence.

The event provided a platform for exchanging information and good practices, with the aim of strengthening regional co-operation and improving joint criminal investigations. By enhancing cross-border collaboration, the initiative seeks to more effectively disrupt the operations of local and international drug organizations active in the Western Balkans.

597273 Željka Šulc

Bihać, 10 September 2025 - The Deputy Head of the OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina (Mission), Zahid Movlazada, concluded a two-day (Sept. 9-10) visit to Livno, Drvar, and Bihać, engaging with key Mission stakeholders and counterparts across Canton 10 and Una-Sana Canton to advance dialogue on pressing local issues and reinforce co-operation with the Mission.

The visit began with a discussion between Darko Čondrić, Mayor of Livno, and Deputy Head Movlazada on the city’s current priorities and recent developments.

Deputy Head Movlazada then met with Ante Tadić, Canton 10 Minister of Science, Education, Culture, and Sports. He welcomed the resolution of a long-standing Serb language issue and the adoption of an anti-discrimination bylaw. The Mission also expressed strong support for co-operation aimed at improving the quality of education through curriculum reform.

Deputy Head Movlazada next met with Sead Hadžijahić, Minister of Construction, Reconstruction, Spatial Planning, and Environmental Protection, to gain insight into pressing environmental challenges and to learn about the status of Bosniak communities in Canton 10.

A meeting with Dragana Damjanović, Deputy Assembly Speaker of Canton 10 and delegate in the House of Peoples of the Parliament of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, focused on the ways to enhance access to social rights in general and the position of the Serb population in the canton.

In Una-Sana Canton (USC), in a meeting with Zikrija Duraković, Speaker of the Cantonal Assembly, Deputy Head Movlazada reaffirmed the Mission’s support for drafting and adopting good governance and anti-corruption legislation and discussed political dynamics in the canton.

Discussions with Adnan Habibija, Minister of Interior of Una-Sana Canton, reinforced strong co-operation between the Mission, local police, and the Ministry of Interior, with a focus on pending legislative initiatives.

Throughout the visits, the Mission underscored its commitment to promoting constructive dialogue, advancing good governance, and addressing the concerns of communities across Bosnia and Herzegovina.

WARSAW, 9 September 2025 – The invitation by the Georgian authorities to observe the local elections taking place on 4 October, less than a month before election day, leaves insufficient time for credible and meaningful observation, the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) said in a statement today.

“Transparent and credible election observation requires thorough preparation and an ability to access key stages of the election process, in line with our comprehensive methodology,” said ODIHR Director Maria Telalian. “Regrettably, the Georgian authorities’ decision to invite us at such a late stage prevents meaningful observation, and ODIHR will not be in a position to deploy an election observation mission. We nonetheless hope to continue our longstanding co-operation with Georgia’s institutions and civil society to strengthen democracy and human rights.”

In its contacts with the Georgian authorities, ODIHR has consistently underlined the importance of a timely invitation to ensure credible and comprehensive election observation. In the past, ODIHR has received timely invitations from Georgia to observe the local elections in 2006, 2010, 2014, 2017, and 2021, allowing for effective preparations in line with ODIHR’s methodology.

As an OSCE participating State, Georgia has committed to holding democratic elections in line with international standards. While ODIHR does not comment on elections that it is not observing, the Office will continue to monitor events in Georgia in all areas covered by its mandate, including democratic governance, fundamental freedoms, and the rule of law.

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This evening, the OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Uzbekistan held an event to mark both the fiftieth anniversary of the signing of the Helsinki Final Act – the founding document of the Organization – as well as 30 years of OSCE presence in Uzbekistan.

The OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Uzbekistan brought together representatives of the government, diplomatic missions, international organizations, civil society, and long-standing partners to reflect on past achievements and reaffirm shared commitments.

Special Envoy of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, Ambassador Terhi Hakala, was in attendance and underlined the importance of continued respect for the Helsinki Final Act that was signed 50 years ago:“As we mark this anniversary, let us renew our dedication to the spirit of Helsinki. The challenges we face – whether geopolitical, environmental, or societal – require unity and regional cooperation. Uzbekistan, with its strong role in regional diplomacy and reform, is a key partner in this journey.”

In his remarks, Ambassador Antti Karttunen, OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Uzbekistan, highlighted the crucial role the Organization has played in the country for the past three decades:  

“Over the past 30 years, the OSCE has worked hand in hand with Uzbekistan to support reforms, strengthen institutions, and promote human rights and security. Today, we mark an important anniversary- but our focus must be on the future. I cannot overstate the importance of empowering and including youth in building a resilient society.”

The event highlighted the strong commitment to advancing OSCE principles in Uzbekistan and the wider region.

597174 Opening of an OSCE organized seminar on the implementation of OSCE Vienna Document 2011 on confidence- and security-building measures, Ashgabat, 2 September 2025.

From 2 to 5 September 2025, the OSCE Centre in Ashgabat hosted a national seminar on the implementation of OSCE Vienna Document 2011 on confidence- and security-building measures.

The four-day seminar brought together twenty mid- and senior officials from the Ministry of Defence of Turkmenistan and aimed to increase their understanding of confidence-and-security building measures under the OSCE Vienna Document 2011.  The Centre organized the event as part of its support to the Ministry of Defence in enhancing the capacity of its personnel to conduct verification operations and apply best practices for military information exchange.

Experts from the Centre for Arms Control and Inspection Support of the Ministry of Defence of Kazakhstan presented key chapters of the Vienna Document, including defence planning, risk reduction, contacts, notification and observation of military activities among others. Officials from the OSCE Secretariat’s Conflict Prevention Centre and Forum for Security Co-operation focused on the OSCE Communications Network, exchange of military information and iMARS, while the OSCE Programme Office in Astana highlighted their project activities in the area of confidence-and-security building and longstanding co-operation with the Ministry of Defence of Kazakhstan.

“In accordance with the Vienna Document, participating States, including Turkmenistan, are committed to annually exchanging information on military forces and major weapons and equipment systems, on defence planning and military budgets,” said William Leaf, Head of the OSCE Centre in Ashgabat.

“For many years, the Centre in Ashgabat has been assisting the host country and its Defence Ministry in implementing this important document through a number of project events aimed at building capacity and exchanging of best practices,” added Leaf.

The seminar provided a platform for sharing national experiences and enhancing interregional relations and military co-operation between the Defence Offices of Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan in the area of reciprocal inspection visits.

A simulation exercise offered an excellent opportunity for the participants to enhance their practical skills in carrying out necessary procedures for receiving an evaluation visit as part of a verification process.

“I am confident that this event will further contribute to the fulfilment of confidence- and security-building measures and mutually agreed procedures for the transparency of military activities and enhancing security in the region,” emphasized Leaf. 

An OSCE-organized training course on Anti-Money Laundering and Combating the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) for students from Turkmenistan’s institutions of higher education took place in a hybrid format from 1 to 5 September 2025.

Organized by the OSCE Centre in Ashgabat and hosted by the State Institute of Finance, the five-day course introduced students to AML/CFT international standards and shared best practices of the OSCE participating States in preventing and countering this financial crime.

The students learnt about the AML/CFT policy and co-ordination and discussed preventive measures in the AML/CFT area. An international expert highlighted the key role of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) and its 40 Recommendations, and focused on predicate offences and suspicious transactions as the basis for investigation.

The training course also provided an overview of key legislation related to money laundering and specifics of asset recovery. Discussions focused on the role of government agencies and non-profit organizations (NPOs) in the AML/CFT system and mechanisms of interagency and international co-operation.

The event brought together 33 students from the Turkmen State Institute of Finance, State University named after Magtymguly, State Institute of Economics and Management, Institute of International Relations of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan and other higher educational institutions.

The course was organized within the Centre’s project “Strengthening Adherence to Good Governance Principles”.

SKOPJE, 5 September 2025 – The OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) today opened an observation mission for the 19 October local elections in North Macedonia, following an invitation from the national authorities.

The mission is led by Matteo Mecacci and is composed of 13 experts based in Skopje. 24 long-term observers will be deployed throughout the country from 11 September, and ODIHR has also requested 250 short-term observers to arrive shortly before election day.

The observation mission will assess the elections for their compliance with OSCE commitments and other international obligations and standards for democratic elections, as well as with national legislation. 

Observers will closely monitor all key aspects of the election, including voter and candidate registration, campaign activities both in-person and online, the work of the election administration and other state bodies, the use of new technologies in the election process, the legislative framework, political and campaign finance, and the resolution of election disputes. They will also assess the implementation of prior ODIHR recommendations. Comprehensive media monitoring forms an integral part of the observation mission.

Throughout the observation, the mission will hold meetings with representatives of the national authorities and political parties, as well as with the judiciary, civil society, and the media.

On election day, the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe and the European Parliament plan to join the ODIHR mission to observe the opening of polling stations, voting, the counting of votes and the tabulation of results.

An interim report will be published some two weeks before election day to update the public and media during the course of the observation. A final report assessing the entire election process and containing recommendations will be published two months after the end of the election process. 

For further information on ODIHR’s election observation activities in North Macedonia, please visit: https://www.osce.org/odihr/elections/north-macedonia

The ODIHR election observation mission and the OSCE Mission to Skopje operate separately and independently under their respective mandates.

Media contacts: 

Kira Gutnikova, Media Analyst for the Election Observation Mission

Kira.Gutnikova@odihr.mk or +389 71 393 062

Katya Andrusz, ODIHR Spokesperson

Katya.Andrusz@odihr.pl or +48 609 522 266

VIENNA/HELSINKI, 5 September 2025 — The Chairperson-in-Office’s Special Envoy, Terhi Hakala, will visit Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, and Kyrgyzstan from 8 to 16 September to meet with high-level government officials and civil society. The aim of the visit is to further strengthen the OSCE’s partnerships in the region.

Throughout the visit, Special Envoy Hakala will also engage with OSCE field operations staff, civil society representatives, and OSCE beneficiaries, as well as the OSCE’s two flagship projects in the region, the OSCE Academy in Bishkek and the Border Management Staff College in Dushanbe.

The latest information from the OSCE CiO of Finland can be found at https://www.osce.org/chairpersonship and on X: @Finland_OSCE

More information:

Annika PelkonenSenior Specialist, Task Force for the Finnish OSCE Chairpersonshipannika.pelkonen@gov.fi, +358 295 350 263