Federal Department of Foreign Affairs FDFA
Federal Department of Foreign Affairs FDFA

Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE)

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.

Image of people at a meeting during an OSCE mission in Moldova
OSCE meeting during a mission in Moldova 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.

Chairmanship of the Forum for Security Co-operation of the OSCE

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).

Politico-military dimension

Last update 26.01.2022

  • Objectives and institutions of the OSCE

    Ziel der OSZE ist es, Demokratie, Menschenrechte und Rechtsstaatlichkeit zu fördern, Differenzen zwischen Staaten zu überwinden und Vertrauen zu schaffen.

  • Swiss Delegation to the OSCE in Vienna

    As a participating State, Switzerland works to defend its position and interests in the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe

  • Politico-military dimension

    Arms control, defence and police reforms, border control, combating transnational threats such as terrorism, conflict prevention and resolution, the secure stockpiling and destruction of small arms and light weapons, and the fight against cybercrime

  • Economic and environmental dimension

    Good governance, the fight against corruption, environmental protection, the sustainable utilisation of natural resources, water management, and the environmentally sound management of hazardous waste, professionalism in responding to natural disasters

  • Human Dimension

    Respect and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms, building of democratic structures, promotion of tolerance and non-discrimination, media freedom, minority rights and the rule of law, gender issues

  • Swiss OSCE Chairmanship 2014

    Switzerland chaired the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) in 2014.

Contact

Eurasia Division

Council of Europe and OSCE Section

Federal Palace West
3003 Bern

Phone

+41 58 464 69 48

sts.eurasien.europarat.osze@eda.admin.ch

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