Central Europe

494977 OSCE Centre in Ashgabat

International experiences on implementing digital technologies in the water industry was the focus of an OSCE-organized online seminar held on 10 and 11 August 2021 in Ashgabat.

The seminar brought together the representatives from the State Committee of Water Economy of Turkmenistan; the Ministry of Agriculture and Environmental Protection (MAEP); the National Institute of Deserts, Flora and Fauna; the Parliament (Mejlis); and other relevant ministries and agencies.

The event was facilitated by two international experts from Switzerland and Morocco. They shared best practices collected from OSCE participating States on the implementation of innovative solutions and digital technologies for sustainable water management. A particular focus was also placed on areas such as the irrigation sector, water conservation, water availability and supply.

“We all know how acute the issue of climate change is at the global level and how its effects exacerbate water scarcity in areas with limited water resources. That is why it is vital to improve water management, as this, in turn, will help support climate change mitigation and adaptation efforts,” said William Leaf, Officer-in-Charge of the OSCE Centre in Ashgabat.

“Given the major technological progress of the 21st century, digital tools and innovative approaches are indispensable for achieving sustainable development in the environmental field in general and in the water industry in particular. Such technological developments offer great opportunities for sound and sustainable water resource management and are essential for the development of effective national water management systems, as well as an effective legal and financial framework for international co-operation on water and hydro-diplomacy issues,” Leaf added. 

The Centre organized the event within the framework of the project, Improving Capacities of the Host Country to Strengthen Environmental Protection System and Energy Security, Phase II.

A team of service dogs in Kyrgyzstan have now finished an eight-week training course to detect sources of heat above 37 C, which has also opened the door for these dogs to potentially help detect human body temperature increases associated with COVID-19.

The course was held from May to July 2021 in Bishkek and was organized by the State Customs Service under the Ministry of Economy and Finance (SCS) with expert and technical support from the OSCE Programme Office in Bishkek.

As part of the training course, the service dogs’ detection abilities were tested at the Bishkek International Airport. The tests consisted of training aids being heated to above the average temperature for a human body and being hidden under the clothes of a selection of volunteer airline passengers from four different flights. The dogs were then tested blindly and the results showed an 80% accuracy rate over 10 blind tests and after 140 hours of training. A blind test means the dogs were not aware of the hidden training aids or their location.

The tests confirm that the canines could be used to help quickly identify and confirm that a passenger’s body temperature exceeds a medically healthy range and may require a more thorough examination. The dogs’ detection of an increased temperature does not necessarily mean a person has an active infection.

While the training and tests are still at an experimental stage, the collected and analyzed data shows the potential for trained canines to be successfully used at airports and in other public spaces during and after the COVID-19 pandemic period.

The SCS canine service, with the support of the OSCE Programme Office in Bishkek, is ready to provide training courses for service dogs in all interested state agencies within the framework of the Training of Service Dogs to Search for Objects (Subjects) of Heat Sources programme.

SDGs SDGs:  16 - Peace, justice and strong institutions

Summary

• In Donetsk region, the SMM recorded 28 ceasefire violations, including one explosion. In the previous 24 hours, it recorded 116 ceasefire violations in the region.
• In Luhansk region, the Mission recorded no ceasefire violations. In the previous 24 hours, it recorded 75 ceasefire violations.
• The SMM followed up on reports of a man injured due to shelling in government-controlled Krasnohorivka, Donetsk region.
• The Mission continued monitoring the disengagement areas near Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske. It recorded ceasefire violations inside the disengagement area near Petrivske.
• The SMM facilitated and monitored adherence to a localized ceasefire to enable the operation of critical civilian infrastructure.
• The Mission continued following up on the situation of civilians, including at four entry-exit checkpoints and three corresponding checkpoints of the armed formations in Donetsk and Luhansk regions.
• The SMM visited a border crossing point outside government control and monitored areas near the border with the Russian Federation in Donetsk region.
• The SMM monitored a gathering in Kyiv.
• The Mission’s freedom of movement continued to be restricted, including at three checkpoints of the armed formations in southern Donetsk. Its unmanned aerial vehicles again experienced instances of GPS signal interference.*

SDGs SDGs:  16 - Peace, justice and strong institutions

Summary

• In Donetsk region, between the evenings of 6 and 8 August, the SMM recorded 168 ceasefire violations, including 63 explosions. In the previous reporting period, it recorded 96 ceasefire violations in the region.
• In Luhansk region, between the evenings of 6 and 8 August, the Mission recorded 283 ceasefire violations, including 71 explosions. In the previous reporting period, it recorded 138 ceasefire violations.
• The SMM followed up on reports of damage to an inhabited apartment in non-government-controlled Zolote-5/Mykhailivka, Luhansk region.
• An SMM patrol was threatened in non-government-controlled Staromykhailivka, Donetsk region.
• The Mission continued monitoring the disengagement areas near Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske. It recorded ceasefire violations inside the disengagement area near Petrivske and near the disengagement area near Zolote.
• The SMM facilitated and monitored adherence to a localized ceasefire to enable operation of critical civilian infrastructure.
• The Mission continued following up on the situation of civilians, including at three entry-exit checkpoints and the corresponding checkpoints of the armed formations in Luhansk region.
• The Mission’s freedom of movement continued to be restricted, including at three checkpoints of the armed formations in southern Donetsk region as well as at a border crossing point and a railway station near and in non-government-controlled Voznesenivka (formerly Chervonopartyzansk), Luhansk region. Its UAVs again experienced multiple instances of GPS signal interference.*

494668 Nuriya Sherzodova

The OSCE Border Management Staff College (BMSC) jointly with the Geneva Centre for Security Sector Governance (DCAF) concluded the third module of the fourth one-year Postgraduate Diploma in Border Security and Management for Senior Leadership Course on 6 August 2021. The sessions were held in a blended format at the Multinational Peace Support Operations Training Centre (MPSOTC) in Kilkis, Greece.

Participants comprised twenty-seven officers and managers of border security and law enforcement agencies from fifteen OSCE’s participating States and Partners for Co-operation: Afghanistan Armenia, Egypt, France, Greece, Jordan, Lithuania, Moldova, Mongolia, the Netherlands, North Macedonia, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Tajikistan, and Ukraine.

“The e-learning phase of the module was completed by the face-to-face sessions, allowing the participants to meet each other for networking and co-operation,” said Savvas Chrysoulidis, training Manager at MPSOTC, and the leading expert of module three underscoring the balance achieved between in-class lectures and practice in the field.

The third module of the course, which concentrated on addressing the current and future trends in border security and management, offered a holistic teaching curriculum including lectures, group exercises, presentations, discussions along with cultural and study trips to Evzoni border crossing points and the central port of Thessaloniki. 

Key topics covered included contemporary challenges for customs administrations, qualitative risk analysis for border management, cross-border management, and challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic, European Integrated Border Management strategies, and Schengen evaluation principles. The participant also received insight on the implementation of innovative mechanisms for countering cross-border crime.

Anastasiia Marchuk, Colonel and Deputy Chief of the Unit at the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine, and a graduate of the course, said: “During these two-week training, we gained more than we expected, not only through the interactive classroom session but also through the study trips."

Following the conclusion of the third and final module of the course, participants will write a Course Work and will defend their research findings to a panel of experts in October 2021. 

The course is accredited by the Estonian Quality Assessment Council for Higher Education (EKKA) and equals an internationally recognized one-year postgraduate diploma course.

SDGs SDGs:  16 - Peace, justice and strong institutions

Summary

• In Donetsk region, the SMM recorded 96 ceasefire violations, including four explosions. In the previous reporting period, it recorded 57 ceasefire violations in the region.
• In Luhansk region, the Mission recorded 138 ceasefire violations, including 47 explosions. In the previous reporting period, it recorded ten ceasefire violations.
• The SMM followed up on reports of a man injured due to the detonation of an explosive object in Donetsk city.
• The Mission continued monitoring the disengagement areas near Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske. It recorded ceasefire violations inside the disengagement area near Petrivske as well as in the vicinity of the disengagement area near Zolote.
• The SMM facilitated and monitored adherence to localized ceasefires to enable operation and repairs of critical civilian infrastructure.
• The Mission continued following up on the situation of civilians, including at four entry-exit checkpoints and the corresponding checkpoints of the armed formations in Donetsk and Luhansk regions.
• The SMM visited three border crossing points outside government control and monitored areas near the border with the Russian Federation, in Donetsk region.
• The Mission observed a gathering in Kyiv.
• The Mission’s freedom of movement continued to be restricted, including at five checkpoints of the armed formations, in Donetsk region. Its UAVs again experienced instances of GPS signal interference.*

SDGs SDGs:  16 - Peace, justice and strong institutions

Summary

• In Donetsk region, the SMM recorded 57 ceasefire violations, including 20 explosions. In the previous reporting period, it recorded 44 ceasefire violations in the region.
• In Luhansk region, the Mission recorded ten ceasefire violations, including five explosions. In the previous reporting period, it recorded eight ceasefire violations.
• The SMM followed up on reports of a woman injured due to shelling near Donetskyi, Luhansk region.
• The Mission continued monitoring the disengagement areas near Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske. It recorded ceasefire violations inside the disengagement area near Petrivske.
• The SMM facilitated and monitored adherence to localized ceasefires to enable the operation of critical civilian infrastructure.
• The Mission continued following up on the situation of civilians, including at three entry-exit checkpoints and the corresponding checkpoints of the armed formations in Luhansk region.
• The SMM visited two border crossing points outside government control in Donetsk region and monitored areas near the border with the Russian Federation in Donetsk and Luhansk regions.
• The Mission’s freedom of movement continued to be restricted, including at two checkpoints of the armed formations, in southern Donetsk region.*

With the support of the OSCE Mission to Montenegro, the Montenegrin Parliament developed a gender-sensitive Human Resources Strategy 2021–2023 with a three-year action plan.

At the invitation of Parliament’s Human Resources Management Bureau, the Mission engaged two experts to work alongside the Bureau to develop its strategy and action plan based on a needs assessment conducted with Mission’s support in 2020. The assessment recommended developing a human resources strategy that reflects organizational goals and articulates human resources practices for staff recruitment, performance appraisal, and learning and development.  

Lilit Hakobyan, one of the experts provided by the Mission, said that with this process, the Parliamentary Service has realized that employees need to be encouraged to take on more responsibilities and maintain high standards of effective performance and service delivery. “I am hopeful that the strategy will help the staff of the Parliamentary Service focus on what really matters with respect to people, programmes and initiatives, while providing professional support to the work of Parliament,” said Hakobyan.

Gender expert Aleksandra Gligorović said that an important aspect of human resource management is ensuring equal opportunities for staff, regardless of gender identity. “Gender equality in the workplace is not only desirable from the human rights perspective, but it is good business. Gender balanced staff has proven to improve creativity, innovation and problem solving,” said Gligorović.

The Mission will continue to provide support to Parliament as it implements its human resource strategy.

Richard Wheeler

An OSCE-supported four-day training seminar on enhancing dialogue between the judiciary and the media concluded on 6 August 2021 in Turkistan, Kazakhstan.

The seminar focused on public relations, anti-crisis management on social networks and public speaking, with practice-oriented exercises for judges and courts’ press secretaries. It provided an overview on communications management in social networks and content strategy and planning. National media experts shared their experience of maintaining the attention of the audience, working with objections, providing feedback and resolving conflicts in social networks. 

The event was organized in partnership with the Supreme Court of the Republic of Kazakhstan, with the participation of some 20 representatives from the Supreme and district courts.

The training seminar is a part of the Programme Office’s multi-year efforts to promote good governance, focusing on public relations and crisis management.  

SDGs SDGs:  16 - Peace, justice and strong institutions

Summary

• In Donetsk region, the SMM recorded 44 ceasefire violations, including eight explosions. In the previous reporting period, it recorded 121 ceasefire violations in the region.
• In Luhansk region, the Mission recorded eight ceasefire violations. In the previous reporting period, the SMM recorded three ceasefire violations.
• The Mission continued monitoring the disengagement areas near Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske.
• The SMM facilitated and monitored adherence to localized ceasefires to enable the operation of critical civilian infrastructure.
• The Mission continued following up on the situation of civilians, including at four entry-exit checkpoints and the corresponding checkpoints of the armed formations in Donetsk and Luhansk regions.
• The SMM monitored a gathering in Kyiv.
• The Mission’s freedom of movement continued to be restricted, including at three checkpoints of the armed formations near Staromykhailivka, Nova Marivka and Staropetrivske, all in Donetsk region.*

494449 Kunduz Rysbek

The OSCE Programme Office in Bishkek continues to support Kyrgyzstan in promoting civic education, with a focus on target groups such as persons with disabilities, youth, local activists and representatives of civil society organizations across Kyrgyzstan.

From 22 to 31 July, over 470 citizens took part in a series of three-day training seminars from across the country organized by the OSCE Programme Office in Bishkek in close co-operation with the Public Foundation “EAGL”.

Participants increased their understanding and knowledge on basic electoral rights, national electoral legislation, including the most recent legislative initiatives, and responsibilities for legislation violations during electoral processes. They also learned about the roles and functions of election commissions, law enforcement and local self-government bodies, courts, political parties and the role of independent election observers during electoral processes.

The training seminars are part of the Programme Office’s extra-budgetary project “Support to strengthening inclusiveness of electoral processes in 2020 parliamentary and local council elections”, generously supported by Germany, Finland, Switzerland and Norway.

494554 Munira Shoinbekova, OSCE Programme Office in Dushanbe

A two-day training course on probation as an alternative sentencing option not related to isolation from society concluded on 30 July in Dushanbe. The OSCE Programme Office in Dushanbe organized the training session in co-operation with the Main Prison Department under Tajikistan’s Ministry of Justice and Prison Reform International.

A total of 33 representatives of civil society and prison staff, including 20 women, attended the training course, which was held in a blended format. Participants enhanced their knowledge on alternative sentencing options and discussed the practical issues of having a probation department, effective co-operation with civil society participation, and the rehabilitation and social reintegration of prisoners. In addition, participants reviewed the conclusion of the UN Standard Minimum Rules for Non-custodial Measures (the Tokyo Rules) and the UN Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners (the Nelson Mandela Rules).

Civil society representatives from the NGO Bureau for Human Rights and Rule of Law, and the NGO Legal Initiative were among the participants.

“The concept note on probation, developed by the OSCE, defines direction of the National Strategy on Penal Reform on developing probation as an alternative sentencing option, and this training session is an important part in this direction,” said Rustam Boybalazoda, First Deputy Head of the Main Prison Department.

“The training course on probation is one of the key steps to building the capacity of prison staff and civil society representatives on developing probation options in Tajikistan, which is line with international standards and best practices,” said Rober Heuer, Head of Human Dimension Department of the OSCE Programme Office in Dushanbe.

WARSAW/COPENHAGEN, 4 August 2021 — The OSCE will not be able to send observers for the upcoming elections to the Duma due to limitations imposed by Russian Federation authorities on the election observation, leaders of the OSCE’s Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODHIR) and its Parliamentary Assembly (OSCE PA) announced today.

“We very much regret that our observation of the forthcoming elections in Russia will not be possible,” said ODIHR Director Matteo Mecacci. “But the ability to independently determine the number of observers necessary for us to observe effectively and credibly is essential to all international observation. The insistence of the Russian authorities on limiting the number of observers we could send without any clear pandemic-related restrictions has unfortunately made today’s step unavoidable.”

Mecacci informed Russia’s Central Election Commission and the permanent delegation of the Russian Federation to the OSCE, while OSCE PA President Margareta Cederfelt notified the Head of the Russian Delegation to the Assembly. Both institutions had been invited to observe the vote scheduled for 17-19 September, but were subsequently restricted to sending 50 and 10 observers, respectively. The Russian authorities cited the sanitary-epidemiological situation in the Russian Federation as the reason for the limitations. At present, no pandemic-related entry restrictions or rules about operating and moving within the country would seem to prevent the deployment of a full election observation mission in line with ODIHR’s initial assessment.

ODIHR and the OSCE PA respect the challenges that countries currently face in preventing the spread of the virus and were prepared to abide by all official pandemic-related requirements and regulations. Both OSCE institutions have made every effort since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic to continue to deliver on their mandates for election observation, and have independently deployed observation missions in numerous countries over the past year and a half.

ODIHR had requested clarity on the requirements for international visitors, including observers, in order to determine how to deploy the election observation mission in the format and size recommended. The responses provided by the Russian authorities did not offer sufficient clarification as to why the limitations were needed to prevent the spread of the virus when other preventative measures could be taken.

“I am very disappointed that limitations imposed by the national authorities prevent the OSCE from providing the Russian voters with a transparent and authoritative assessment of their elections, as we have been doing consistently since 1993,” said Cederfelt. “The OSCE was limited to sending only a small fraction of the observers we had intended, and this simply does not enable us to carry out our work in an effective and thorough manner. We look forward to a time when the authorities will once again welcome independent observers from the OSCE for future election processes, and we stand ready to continue this important work.”

Based on the findings of a needs assessment carried out some months before an election takes place, ODIHR determines the size and format of observation necessary to provide an independent, credible assessment. For the upcoming parliamentary elections in Russia, the needs assessment mission deployed in May to June this year found that a mission with 80 long-term observers and 420 short-term observers was needed.

Both ODIHR and the Parliamentary Assembly have been preparing to deploy observers for several months now, in close contact with the Russian authorities. Observers from at least one of the OSCE institutions have been present to observe every parliamentary election in Russia since 1993.

“The authorities’ decision to severely restrict the number of observers would undermine the effectiveness and credibility of OSCE election observation. I therefore fully agree with the decision to stand up for independent observation based on our own assessments,” noted OSCE PA Secretary General Roberto Montella. “Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the OSCE PA, like ODIHR, has carefully refined its processes and has safely deployed several hundred observers in numerous countries without such limitations being imposed, and I am confident that we would have done so once again.”

Both institutions repeated their willingness to observe future elections in Russia when conditions allow them to carry out a comprehensive, accurate and credible observation in line with their independent mandates.

494479 OSCE Centre in Ashgabat

The OSCE Centre in Ashgabat organized a two-day online roundtable meeting, held on 3 and 4 August 2021, with national partners involved in the implementation of the National Human Rights Action Plan (NHRAP) for 2021–2025. The meeting provided a platform for discussion on practical steps to implement NHRAP provisions related to freedom of the media and freedom of journalistic profession.

Representatives from the Institute of State, Law and Democracy, the Supreme Court, the Bar Association, Mejlis (Parliament), and other relevant institutions and national media to part in the discussions.

“Independent media are essential to the development of free and open societies and to the accountability of governments. Over the years, OSCE participating States have adopted a number of important documents that contain commitments in the areas of freedom of the media, freedom of expression and the free flow of information,” said William Leaf, Officer-in-Charge of the OSCE Center in Ashgabat.

The NHRAP for 2021–2025 includes provisions for enhancing national media legislation and its implementation practices, decriminalizing libel and ensuring the safety of journalists.

"Safety of journalists is high on the Organization's agenda, since the rights of journalists to exercise their profession in safety is essential to freedom of the media and freedom of expression,” added Leaf.

Two international experts from Austria and Georgia facilitated the meeting, in which discussions took place on the importance of decriminalization of libel and government’s role in the process, legal guarantees ensuring the safety of journalists, and illegal interference into the work of journalists. The experts also presented best practices of OSCE participating States in promoting internet freedom and efficient implementation of media legislation.

SDGs SDGs:  16 - Peace, justice and strong institutions

Summary

• In Donetsk region, the SMM recorded 121 ceasefire violations, including 14 explosions. In the previous reporting period, it recorded 25 ceasefire violations in the region.
• In Luhansk region, the Mission recorded three ceasefire violations. In the previous reporting period, the SMM recorded no ceasefire violations.
• The Mission continued monitoring the disengagement areas near Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske, and recorded ceasefire violations inside the latter area.
• The SMM facilitated and monitored adherence to localized ceasefires to enable the operation of critical civilian infrastructure.
• The Mission continued following up on the situation of civilians, including at three entry-exit checkpoints and the corresponding checkpoints of the armed formations in Luhansk region.
• The SMM visited border areas outside government control in Luhansk region.
• The SMM’s freedom of movement continued to be restricted, including at a checkpoint of the Ukrainian Armed Forces in Novotoshkivske, Luhansk region and at two checkpoints of the armed formations in Staromykhailivka and Novoazovsk, Donetsk region. Its unmanned aerial vehicles again experienced multiple instances of GPS signal interference.*

BISHKEK, 2 July 2021 - President of the Kyrgyz Republic Sadyr Japarov met with Head of the OSCE Programme Office in Bishkek Alexey Rogov.  

President Japarov congratulated Rogov on his appointment and noted that Kyrgyzstan attaches high importance on co-operating with the OSCE on a wide range of issues, such as strengthening inter-ethnic and interfaith cohesion and supporting socioeconomic development.

The President expressed his gratitude for the Organization's assistance, noted that Kyrgyzstan attaches priority importance to co-operation with the OSCE and reaffirmed the country's intention to uphold its OSCE commitments.  He noted the Programme Office’s support in fighting violent extremism and radicalization that lead to terrorism, combating drug trafficking and organized crime, and strengthening ties between law enforcement agencies and civil society in Kyrgyzstan. The important role the Programme Office plays in fighting the COVID-19 pandemic was underlined by the President as well.  

“I would like to emphasize positive results of the long-term co-operation between the Programme Office and state bodies, in particular, on the creation of an early warning system and prevention of interethnic conflicts,” said President Zhaparov.

Rogov expressed readiness to intensify further programmatic work in Kyrgyzstan to fully reflect the urgent priorities and pressing needs of the people of Kyrgyzstan, in line with the Programme Office’s mandate and OSCE commitments. “Today's meeting is evident of the relevance of the OSCE’s programmatic activities in Kyrgyzstan,” said Rogov.

Ambassador Rogov shared his appreciation of the first Presidential Decree: “On spiritual and moral development and physical education for 2021-2026”, and welcoming President Japarov’s adoption of the Concept for the development of civic identity ‘Kyrgyz Zharany’ for 2021-2026.

Further co-operation between Kyrgyzstan and the OSCE with regards to the situation in Afghanistan was also discussed, including the work of the OSCE Academy, which remains an example of the OSCE’s flagship project that focuses on human development of youth from Central Asia, Afghanistan and Mongolia.  

SDGs SDGs:  16 - Peace, justice and strong institutions

Summary

• In Donetsk region, the SMM recorded 25 ceasefire violations, including seven explosions. In the previous 24 hours, it recorded 19 ceasefire violations in the region.
• In Luhansk region, the Mission recorded no ceasefire violations. In the previous 24 hours, it recorded one ceasefire violation in the region.
• The Mission continued monitoring the disengagement areas near Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske.
• The SMM facilitated and monitored adherence to localized ceasefires to enable the operation of critical civilian infrastructure.
• The Mission continued following up on the situation of civilians, including at four entry-exit checkpoints and the corresponding checkpoints of the armed formations in Donetsk and Luhansk regions.
• The SMM’s freedom of movement continued to be restricted, including at a heavy weapons holding area in a government-controlled area and at a checkpoint of the armed formations, in Donetsk region. Its UAVs again experienced instances of GPS signal interference.*

494365 OSCE Centre in Ashgabat

An OSCE-supported online seminar, held from 2 to 4 August 2021, focused on preparations for the Eurasian group’s (EAG) evaluation of Turkmenistan’s compliance to the Financial Action Task Force’s (FATF) standards on anti-money laundering and countering financing of terrorism (AML/CFT). Representatives of different law enforcement agencies, supervisory bodies, reporting entities, non-governmental organizations and other relevant government agencies and the private sector involved in the EAG evaluation process attended the seminar.

The OSCE Centre in Ashgabat organized the seminar to facilitate discussions on the FATF methodology used to assess compliance with the FATF recommendations and the effectiveness of AML/CFT systems.

“As part of its mandate, the OSCE Centre in Ashgabat follows key AML/CFT developments and effectively co-operates with the Government of Turkmenistan in promoting the principles of good governance, countering money laundering and terrorist financing,” said William Leaf, Officer in Charge of the OSCE Centre in Ashgabat. “It is our strong belief that this event will support the efforts of relevant institutions of Turkmenistan to prepare for the EAG’s mutual evaluation this year.”

Two international experts from Lithuania and Belarus highlighted specifics of the FATF methodology, including 11 immediate outcomes and 40 recommendations, and introduced participants to the key elements of the mutual evaluation interviewing process and provision of data and statistics on technical compliance and effectiveness.

The seminar is a continuation of the Centre’s long-term support to the Government of Turkmenistan in advancing its AML/CFT system in compliance with FATF standards, provided within the project “Enhancing the capacities of the host country to address main economic challenges by improving good economic governance”.

494371

The Montenegrin Library of Parliament, with the support of the OSCE Mission to Montenegro, digitally catalogued its collection, enabling it to join the shared bibliographic database of the Co-operative Online Bibliographic System and Services, known as the COBISS Platform.

The digitization followed an agreement in 2003 for COBISS to provide a free exchange of bibliographic records from the autonomous library information systems of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Slovenia and Serbia.

In June and July 2021, the Mission engaged a local expert on creating library records to create bibliographic records of the Parliament’s Library on the shared bibliographic database of Montenegro COBIB.CG, which is part of COBISS platform. The expert also linked the Library’s online catalogue with additional titles from topic areas such as world politics, international relations, the European Union, the history of Montenegro, law and gender equality. The Parliament’s Library is now available and searchable by the public as well as members of parliament and staff via the online catalogue in COBISS.

Jelisaveta Blagojević, Head of the Library and Documentation Centre and Archive, said that it is now possible to search over 2,000 titles from the Library of the Parliament collection. “Searches can be conducted on serial publications such as the Official Gazettes from 1945 to 2019, stenographic notes from the sittings of the Parliament of Montenegro from 1946 to 2018, issues of the magazine ‘Historical Records’ from 1948 to 2019,” said Blagojević.

The Parliament’s updated bibliographic database will contribute to regional co-operation and facilitate the exchange of publications between parliaments.

494320

The OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Uzbekistan conducted a series of roundtable discussions, held on 2 and 3 August 2021, on strengthening the role of women in socio-economic and political life and investing in women's professional development and leadership skills. The event was jointly organized with the National Commission on Gender Equality and Committee of the Senate of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan on Women and Gender Equality.

More than fifty participants from Tashkent, Samarkand and Bukhara regions including members of the National Commission on Gender Equality, officials from the ministries and state agencies, members of political parties, NGOs and the media took part in the discussions. Advancing the role of women in political participation, providing support to women-entrepreneurs, and enabling women with disabilities to ensure their participation in public and social life were topics of discussion.

Malika Kadirkhanova, Head of the Committee of the Senate of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan on Women and Gender Equality stressed that: “Every woman in Uzbekistan is now an active participant, not an observer. This year, six normative legal acts were adopted to improve their status. This shows that attention is paid to women on a government level. In 2018, the pool of women supported to become leaders was more than 6,000, this year the number increased to more than 16,000. The National Commission on Gender Equality and Committee of the Senate plan to improve their political and legal knowledge and prepare them for leadership positions.”

In his opening remarks, Pierre von Arx, OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Uzbekistan noted positive steps achieved in Uzbekistan in increasing the number of women-parliamentarians from 24 women in 2014 to 48  as a result of the last parliamentary elections in 2019. This enabled the country to improve the representation of women in legislature from the 128th place out of 190 national parliaments in the world five years ago to the 37th place.

The roundtable events are part of the OSCE Extra Budgetary project “Support to Women’s Committee of the Republic of Uzbekistan,” with financial support from the Government of Norway and a longstanding commitment of the OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Uzbekistan to assist the country in promoting women`s participation in social, political and economic life within the society.