The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, headquartered in Vienna, is the largest regional security organisation worldwide with 57 participating States spanning North America, Europe and Asia. Its priority is to resolve conflicts and build confidence. After having held the Chairmanship in 1996, Switzerland chaired the OSCE for a second time in 2014.
Switzerland views the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) as a key platform through which to implement its foreign-policy priority commitment to freedom and security in Europe, its neighbouring countries, and in the world. It uses the Organization as an opportunity to discuss security policy issues and confidence-building measures with all of the European and Central Asian States, as well as with the USA and Canada.
Switzerland provides support for OSCE projects and makes experts available for fixed-term missions in civilian projects such as, for example, election observers, police advisers, or specialists for constitutional questions, mediation, the rule of law, and human rights. It has been a member of the OSCE since 1975.
On 1 January 2019, Switzerland will assume the four-month, rotating chairmanship of the Forum for Security Co-operation (FSC) of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE).
