Newsroom
News and press releases
News and press releases from the OSCE's global activities.
Joint Message of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office’s Personal Representatives focusing on tolerance and non-discrimination, on Human Rights Day
Publishing date: 10 December 2021
WASHINGTON/ANKARA/VIENNA,10 DECEMBER 2021- As we mark International Human Rights Day, much of the world is still reeling from the COVID-19 pandemic. A new variant and increased cases have led many OSCE participating States to reimpose restrictions reminiscent of the conditions under which we commemorated this important anniversary a year ago. The pandemic has exacerbated our task of preserving and defending human rights around the world. It has further widened the political and partisan divides and fueled conspiracy theories that target minorities and persons in vulnerable situations. Some nations, while citing the necessity of measures to control the spread of the virus, have used it as a pretext for disproportionate security responses and repressive measures that undermine human rights, including the freedom of religion or belief.
Press Communiqué of the Co-Chairs of the Geneva International Discussions
Publishing date: 8 December 2021
Content type: Press release
Where we are: OSCE Chairmanship
What we do: Conflict prevention and resolution
GENEVA, 8 December 2021- The 55th round of the Geneva International Discussions (GID) took place in the Palais des Nations on 7 and 8 December 2021, with requisite COVID-19 pandemic mitigation measures in place. As mandated by the six-point agreement of 2008, the GID process continues to serve as the primary venue in which the consequences of conflict are addressed and other important issues are discussed.
OSCE joins the 16 Days of Activism campaign and calls on states to combat gender-based violence in all its forms
Publishing date: 25 November 2021
Content type: Press release
What we do: Gender equality
STOCKHOLM / VIENNA / WARSAW, 25 November 2021- On the occasion of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, and the start of the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-based violence, OSCE leaders called on participating States to increase their efforts and resources to combat violence against women and girls, including violence enabled by digital technology.
103rd Incident Prevention and Response Mechanism meeting takes place in Ergneti
Publishing date: 18 November 2021
Content type: Press release
Where we are: OSCE Chairmanship
What we do: Conflict prevention and resolution
ERGNETI, 18 November 2021 — The 103rd Incident Prevention and Response Mechanism (IPRM) convened today in Ergneti, co-facilitated by the EU Monitoring Mission in Georgia (EUMM) and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE). In view of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, all necessary health precautions were followed at the meeting venue.
Joint Message of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office’s Personal Representatives on the International Day for Tolerance
Publishing date: 16 November 2021
Content type: Press release
Where we are: OSCE Chairmanship
STOCKHOLM/VIENNA, 16 November 2021- In a world shaped by ever-increasing divisions within nations and societies the need for tolerance could not be greater. The problems we face are clearly demonstrated in the most recent 2021 Hate Crime Report by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR). The Covid-19 pandemic has resulted in numerous instances of stereotyping, scapegoating, and stigmatization. It has fueled hate-motivated attacks both online and offline directed at persons in vulnerable situations, at persons belonging to minorities, including ethnic and religious groups and anti-Semitic attacks and hate-crimes against Muslims, Christians and members of other religions, Roma and Sinti, migrants and refugees, and people of Asian descent. They are not only a catastrophe for the victims and a breach of human rights, but they damage the social cohesion of our society at large. Trust and solidarity are lost, and democracy is threatened.
Press Communiqué of the Co-Chairs of the Geneva International Discussions
Publishing date: 13 October 2021
Content type: Press release
Where we are: OSCE Chairmanship
What we do: Conflict prevention and resolution
GENEVA, 13 October 2021- The 54th round of the Geneva International Discussions (GID) took place on 12 and 13 October 2021, with requisite COVID-19 pandemic measures in place. The GID process continues to serve as the primary venue in which the consequences of conflict are addressed as mandated by the six-point ceasefire agreement of 2008.
Immediate action offers chance to build a more resilient Mediterranean region according to participants at OSCE Mediterranean Conference
Publishing date: 12 October 2021
Content type: Press release
Where we are: OSCE Chairmanship, Mediterranean Partners for Co-operation
VIENNA, 12 October 2021 – Immediate actions offers a chance to curb economic and environmental security risks, and build more resilient and sustainable societies in the OSCE and the Mediterranean regions say participants at the OSCE 2021 Mediterranean Partners Conference, which opened today in Vienna...
102nd Incident Prevention and Response Mechanism meeting takes place in Ergneti
Publishing date: 27 September 2021
Content type: Press release
Where we are: OSCE Chairmanship
What we do: Conflict prevention and resolution
ERGNETI, 27 September 2021 — The 102nd meeting of the Incident Prevention and Response Mechanism (IPRM) took place today in Ergneti, under the co-facilitation of Ambassador Marek Szczygieł, Head of the EU Monitoring Mission in Georgia (EUMM), and Ambassador Annika Söder, Special Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office for the South Caucasus.
Innovative responses to transnational threats in focus at the 15th Annual Meeting of OSCE Border Security and Management National Focal Points Network
Publishing date: 23 September 2021
Content type: News
Where we are: OSCE Chairmanship, Transnational Threats Department, OSCE Secretariat
What we do: Border management
Current transnational threats and challenges for border agencies, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, and innovative responses were the focus of the 15th Annual Meeting of the OSCE Border Security and Management National Focal Points Network held on 21 and 22 September 2021.
Press Statement of Special Representative Kinnunen after the regular Meeting of Trilateral Contact Group on 26 August 2021
Publishing date: 26 August 2021
Content type: Press release
Where we are: OSCE Chairmanship
What we do: Conflict prevention and resolution
KYIV, 26 August 2021 – The Special Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office in Ukraine and in the Trilateral Contact Group (TCG), Ambassador Mikko Kinnunen, made the following statement to the press after the regular meetings of the TCG and its Working Groups held through video conferencing: