Central Europe

SKOPJE, 4 September 2025 – Observers from the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) will hold a press conference on the opening of the observation mission to the forthcoming local elections in North Macedonia on Friday, 5 September.

What: 

• An introduction to the role of the ODIHR election observation mission and its planned activities.

Who:

• Matteo Mecacci, Head of the ODIHR Election Observation Mission

When:

• 14:00 CET (GMT +2) on 5 September 2025

Where:

• Double Tree by Hilton Skopje, Platinum 1, Bulevar ASNOM 17, 1000 Skopje

Registration:

• The press conference is open to all, and no accreditation is required to enter, but only questions from journalists will be taken.
• English-Macedonian and English-Albanian interpretation will be provided.

For more details, please contact:

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

597072 Marina Živaljević

In response to a request from the Police Directorate to contribute to the overall effectiveness of the Regional Security Centre (RSC) “North”, the OSCE Mission to Montenegro provided technical equipment for six security centres and three police stations in Bijelo Polje, Berane, Kolašin, Mojkovac, Rožaje, Plav, Andrijevica, Gusinje, and Petnjica.

Head of the Mission, Ambassador Jan Haukaas, yesterday met with Police Director, Lazar Šćepanović, and Head of the RSC North, Haris Đurđević, in Bijelo Polje. During the meeting, they acknowledged the Mission’s longstanding support for the police and how its future activities could be shaped to further strengthen professionalization, build capacity, and enhance public trust in the police.

“The Mission remains committed to supporting the police with capacity-building and the provision of expertise, while adapting to emerging needs”, said Ambassador Haukaas. He further noted that the Mission is also interested in contributing towards further strengthening crisis response, transparency, and resilience against organized crime. “Our priority areas remain the fight against serious and organized crime, combatting trafficking in human beings, and reducing risks linked to small arms and light weapons,” stated Ambassador Haukaas.

Police Director Šćepanović said that the Mission, from the very beginning of its presence in Montenegro, has provided a significant contribution to enhance the collective security of the country. He stressed, “This technical support is of exceptional importance to supporting the field work and enhancing the capacities of the RSC ‘North’, especially considering the particular regional challenges and its continuous need to improve material and technical capacities.”

On this occasion, Šćepanović highlighted the efforts of the Police Directorate in Montenegro’s ongoing reform processes, particularly those related to justice, freedom and security, as well as the development and implementation of harmonized security policies aligned with European standards and the OSCE. He stated that “The primary focus is on organized crime, corruption, human trafficking and illegal migration, the suppression of narcotics smuggling, modern forms of hybrid threats – including disinformation - and the establishment of mechanisms to enhance resilience and countering external influences on the security sector.”

Head of the Centre Đurđević thanked the Mission for the provision of technical equipment, which has enhanced the RSC North’s overall capacity. He stated that “Part of the technical equipment has been distributed in the newly established RSC North’s headquarter, while the rest has been distributed to other municipalities,” explained Đurđević.

An-OSCE supported training course on strategic analysis in combating money laundering and financing of terrorism took place in Ashgabat from1 to 4 September 2025.

The OSCE Centre in Ashgabat organized the four-day event in close co-operation with Egmont Centre of FIU Excellence and Leadership (ECOFEL), Egmont Group of Financial Intelligence Units. The training course was specifically designed for staff members from the Financial Monitoring Service at the Ministry of Finance and Economy of Turkmenistan aiming to enhance their professional capacities and empower them to effectively implement specific points of the Plan on Technical Assistance to Turkmenistan on addressing recommendations from the second round of Mutual Evaluations by the Eurasian Group on Combating Money Laundering and Financing of Terrorism (EAG).

International experts explored the subtle intricacies involved in strategic analysis, highlighting  the characteristics of critical thinking and the importance  of structured analytical techniques to help counteract fixed mindsets and biases. Participants also discussed the differences between qualitative and quantitative analysis and the various stages of the intelligence cycle.

“The OSCE actively supports national reforms and transparency initiatives, as well the development and implementation of more effective policies and mechanisms to help participating States in enhancing good economic governance, establishing robust anti-money laundering systems, and promoting sound financial and resource management,” said Olivera Zurovac-Kuzman, Economic and Environmental Officer of the OSCE Centre in Ashgabat. 

“The OSCE Centre in Ashgabat is actively co-operating with Turkmenistan to strengthen its national AML/CFT system, including by improving legislative frameworks and conducting capacity-building activities within the framework of the Plan on Technical Assistance to Turkmenistan aimed at addressing recommendation from the second round of Mutual Evaluations by the EAG,” added Zurovac-Kuzman.

The course also provided detailed insights into the stages of the intelligence cycle, including  planning, collection, evaluation, collation and review of information sources. Experts shared requirements on strategic analysis findings reporting.

597030 Communication and Media Relations Section

In response to the growing threats posed by illicit trafficking in firearms, ammunition and explosives, the Government of Ukraine is seeking to develop a national strategy on Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW), together with a comprehensive action plan to guide its implementation.

To support this effort, the OSCE convened key national and international stakeholders at an expert workshop on 27 and 28 August in Kyiv, in partnership with Ukraine’s Ministry of Internal Affairs and the European Union Advisory Mission to Ukraine.

During facilitated plenary and group discussions, participants outlined the main pillars and priorities of the strategy. These include necessary steps for improving weapons tracing and stockpile management, enhancing border control, updating national legislation, raising public awareness and strengthening inter-agency co-ordination against illicit trafficking of SALW.

“The policy documents we develop today will serve as a unified national approach and a strategic tool that will enable us to co-ordinate efforts across the government, law enforcement and with our international partners to more effectively address the risks associated with illicit weapons. This is important work we do for the safety of our citizens and communities,” said Oleksii Serheiev, Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs of Ukraine.

To ensure the document aligns with international best practices and SALW control standards, the drafting process was supported by the representatives from the South-Eastern and Eastern Europe Clearinghouse for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (UNDP SEESAC), the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), the European Multidisciplinary Platform Against Criminal Threats (EMPACT Firearms) and the Ammunition Management Advisory Team of the Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining (AMAT GICHD).

The event was held as part of the OSCE extrabudgetary project "In support of strengthening the capacities of Ukrainian authorities in preventing and combating illicit trafficking of weapons, ammunition and explosives in all its aspects", financed by the European Union, Finland, France, Germany and Poland.

596977 OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities Christophe Kamp (second from left) in North Mitrovicë/Mitrovica, accompanied by the Head of the OSCE Mission in Kosovo Gerard McGurk (second from right), 27 August 2025. OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities Respecting and promoting language rights critical to building a sustainable, multiethnic society, says OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities in Prishtinë/Priština The Lund Recommendations on the Effective Participation of National Minorities in Public Life The Graz Recommendations on Access to Justice and National Minorities The Oslo Recommendations regarding the Linguistic Rights of National Minorities

OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities Christophe Kamp visited Kosovo from 25 to 29 August 2025, where he met with the authorities in Prishtinë/Priština. He also met representatives of non-majority communities, religious leaders and civil society organizations, as well as members of the international community.

The High Commissioner visited Prishtinë/Priština, Gjilan/Gnjilane, Parteš/Partesh, North Mitrovicë/Mitrovica and Gračanica/Gracanicë. Among others, he met with President Vjosa Osmani, Acting Prime Minister Albin Kurti, Acting Minister of Communities and Returns Nenad Rasic, Acting Minister of Internal Affairs Xhelal Sveçla and Kosovo Police Director Gazmend Hoxha. He heard from political parties and civil society organizations representing non-majority communities and had an exchange of views with Bishop Teodosije. He also met senior officials from the European Union Rule of Law Mission, the Kosovo Force and the United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo.  

Kamp had the opportunity to gain first-hand insights into matters of relevance to his mandate on the situation of non-majority communities in Kosovo, including their participation in public life, as well as rule of law issues and language rights. While in the north of Kosovo, the High Commissioner was able to focus on the dynamics there and their effects on residents from all communities, particularly Kosovo Serbs.

In his engagements, the High Commissioner emphasized the need for meaningful dialogue and consultations with non-majority communities on issues affecting them and the importance of their effective participation in public life.

The office of the HCNM has been engaged in Kosovo on the implementation of the framework of language rights for several years, and during this visit Kamp met with the Rector of the University of Prishtinë/Priština to discuss the status of the Balkanistics Programme. 

The visit was organized with the support of and in close co-operation with the OSCE Mission in Kosovo.

596920

The OSCE, through its Office of the Co-ordinator of Economic and Environmental Activities (OCEEA), held a two-day workshop in Astana on 6-7 August 2025 to enhance the capacity of the Prosecutor’s Office and law enforcement agencies of the Republic of Kazakhstan in investigating crimes involving virtual assets and facilitating the recovery of stolen or lost digital assets.

The event gathered representatives from the General Prosecutor’s Office of Kazakhstan, including its regional offices, the Asset Recovery Committee of the General Prosecutor’s Office and the Law Enforcement Academy, to exchange experiences and enhance practical skills.

The objective of the workshop was to enhance the capacity of the Prosecutor’s Office and law enforcement institutions of the Republic of Kazakhstan in investigating crimes involving virtual assets and facilitating asset recovery. Through expert-led sessions, practical exercises, and peer exchange, the workshop provided participants with a solid understanding of blockchain technology, typologies of virtual asset-related crimes, the use of blockchain analytics tools, and international standards and good practices in virtual asset tracing and recovery.

By sharing international expertise and best practices, the OSCE contributes to improving transparency, accountability, and effective law enforcement in the evolving digital economy.

“The evolving threats associated with the misuse of virtual assets are of significant importance today, and the General Prosecutor’s Office of the Republic of Kazakhstan places strong emphasis on addressing these challenges. Workshops like this are crucial for our practitioners, investigators, and prosecutors, as they equip them with practical tools to effectively tackle these issues in the future. We are grateful to the OSCE for organizing this event and look forward to continuing our cooperation with the OSCE on this topic, including efforts to address the regional dimensions of virtual assets and asset recovery,” said Nurdaulet Suindikov, Chairman of the Asset Recovery Committee of the General Prosecutor’s Office of the Republic of Kazakhstan, during his opening remarks. “This marks an important step in our joint efforts to help participating States in Central Asia respond to the rapidly evolving challenges of virtual assets. We will continue to support the Asset Recovery Committee and other institutions in Kazakhstan in their daily work to address the practical challenges associated with virtual asset risks”, highlighted Zurab Sanikidze, Senior Project Officer at the OCEEA.

“Virtual assets and associated crimes are a global and rapidly growing phenomenon that require enhanced international cooperation,” stated Ullrich Kinne, Chargé d’Affaires a.i. of the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany in the Republic of Kazakhstan, in his opening remarks.

The workshop was organized in close co-operation with the Asset Recovery Committee of the General Prosecutor’s Office of the Republic of Kazakhstan. It is part of the OSCE’s extra-budgetary project, “Innovative Policy Solutions to Mitigate Money-Laundering Risks of Virtual Assets”, implemented by the Office of the Co-ordinator of OSCE Economic and Environmental Activities and funded by Germany, Italy, Poland, Romania, the United Kingdom and the United States.

VIENNA/HELSINKI, 1 September 2025 - The OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, Foreign Minister of Finland Elina Valtonen, and OSCE Secretary General Feridun H. Sinirlioğlu welcome the adoption of a Ministerial Council decision closing the Minsk process and related structures following a Joint Appeal from Armenia and Azerbaijan.

“I would like to once again extend my warmest congratulations to Armenia and Azerbaijan on their historic agreements towards peace and normalization of relations and their resolute decision to start their prompt implementation. I have responded without delay to their Joint Appeal and would like to express my sincere appreciation to the parties for their excellent co-operation in the process. I also would like to commend participating States for their collaborative spirit in achieving this consensus,” said Minister Valtonen.

This Ministerial Council decision follows the 8 August Joint Declaration signed in Washington D.C by Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan and President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and witnessed by U.S. President Donald J. Trump. The Ministerial Council decision was adopted by consensus of all 57 OSCE participating States.

“This is a historic development that underlines what diplomacy can achieve, even after decades of conflict and mistrust. It demonstrates that agreement remains possible when there is a shared determination between parties to find common ground,” said Secretary General Sinirlioğlu.

The OSCE Chairperson-in Office and OSCE Secretary General reaffirmed their unwavering commitment to supporting efforts that bring lasting peace and stability to Armenia, Azerbaijan and the wider region.

Following the adoption of this decision, the OSCE will take steps to implement the closure of the Minsk Process and its related structures. Only administrative functions, such as the handover of assets and equipment, will continue until the process is completed no later than 1 December 2025.

596881 Volker Frobarth, Head of the OSCE Programme Office in Bishkek, Bishkek, 1 September 2025.

Bishkek, 1 September 2025 — The OSCE Programme Office in Bishkek is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Volker Frobarth of Germany as the new Head of the OSCE Programme Office in Bishkek.

Dr. Frobarth brings more than two decades of experience in international cooperation, diplomacy, and security affairs, with a strong focus on the post-Soviet region. From 2021 to 2025, he served as Head of the OSCE Programme Office in Astana, Kazakhstan. He also represented the OSCE Chairpersonship in the Latvian-Russian Joint Commission on Military Pensioners and has served with OSCE field operations in Tajikistan, Georgia, Latvia, and Ukraine.

His regional expertise is further rooted in his work with the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ), where he held executive positions in Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, and other neighbouring countries between 2009 and 2021.

Dr. Frobarth has also held senior posts within the Ministry of Economy of the German State of Hessen, including Director for Foreign Trade with the CIS and Baltic States, and Head of the Economy, Infrastructure, and European Affairs Division at the Hessen State Representation in Berlin.

He holds a PhD and Master’s degree in Political Science, Eastern European History, Public Law, and Law of the Eastern European States from the University of Kiel, Germany. He is fluent in German, English, and Russian.

Dr. Frobarth’s deep understanding of Central Asia and extensive diplomatic experience will support the OSCE’s work to promote security, good governance, environmental protection, and human rights in Kyrgyzstan.

The OSCE looks forward to continuing its strong partnership with national authorities, civil society, and international partners under Dr. Frobarth’s leadership.

HELSINKI/VALLETTA/BERN, 29 August 2025 - Today, the OSCE Troika – Chairperson-in-Office of the OSCE and Foreign Minister of Finland Elina Valtonen, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Tourism of Malta Ian Borg, and Federal Councillor and Head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs of Switzerland Ignazio Cassis – made the following statement:

“Yesterday, Russia carried out one of its deadliest attacks on Kyiv and other cities across Ukraine since the war started. The overnight attacks targeted all Kyiv’s residential districts and caused the death of at least 23 civilians, including 4 children, and left many more injured. We extend our deepest condolences to the victims and their families. The strikes caused widespread destruction, including damage to the premises of the European Union Delegation and the British Council in Kyiv.

We condemn these strikes in the strongest possible terms. Russia’s escalating attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure in recent months further highlight the urgent need for an unconditional and comprehensive ceasefire.

We support the efforts of US President Trump towards ending Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine and achieving a just and lasting peace and security for Ukraine.  We urge Russia to stop the killing and engage in constructive negotiations. Meaningful negotiations can only take place in the context of a ceasefire or reduction of hostilities.

Russia must be held accountable for its actions. Indiscriminate attacks are prohibited under international humanitarian law; those directed against civilians may constitute war crimes. There must be no impunity for crimes committed in and against Ukraine, including war crimes and the crime of aggression.

We reaffirm our unwavering support for Ukraine’s sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity, and for a just and lasting peace, based on international law, including the UN Charter and the Helsinki Final Act.

We reiterate our full support for continued efforts to secure the return of Ukrainian deported children, the exchange of prisoners of war, and the release of arbitrarily detained civilians, including the three detained OSCE officials.”

589080 Željka Šulc

SARAJEVO, 28 August 2025 - Regarding the 28 August 2025 Decision of the Central Election Commission (CEC) of Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) to call early elections for the President of Republika Srpska (RS), in line with the legal mandate of the CEC BiH, the applicable electoral framework, and the decisions of the Court of BiH and Constitutional Court of BiH, the OSCE Mission to BiH (Mission) underlines once again that upholding the constitutional order and the rule of law is non-negotiable and remains crucial for stability and democracy in BiH. 

The Mission fully supports the CEC BiH in exercising its legal mandate and reaffirms the central role of independent electoral institutions in upholding democratic processes.

Respecting the final and binding decisions of competent judicial and electoral institutions is essential to ensuring institutional stability and public trust. Ensuring legally grounded elections is vital for effective governance and to ensure the proper functioning of the governing institutions of Republika Srpska, serving the interests of Republika Srpska and its citizens.

The Mission calls on all relevant actors to enable the peaceful and orderly conduct of the entire electoral process in line with the domestic legal framework and international standards. Any actions aimed at obstructing or unlawfully influencing electoral processes contravene the legal obligations binding on all public actors and pose a significant risk to the country’s stability. 

The Mission remains committed to supporting BiH in upholding the constitutional order and in strengthening democratic governance, electoral integrity and the rule of law for the benefit of all its citizens.

596662 Željka Šulc

Brčko, 26 August 2025 - Ambassador Rick Holtzapple, Head of the OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina (Mission), concluded a two-day visit to Brčko District of Bosnia and Herzegovina (Brčko District) today, underscoring the Mission’s continued commitment to supporting reforms and strengthening co-operation with local institutions.

During his visit, Ambassador Holtzapple met with Brčko District Mayor Siniša Milić, Assembly Speaker Damir Bulčević, and Chief of Police Goran Pisić. Discussions focused on advancing co-operation between the Mission and Brčko District institutions, particularly in the areas of curriculum reform and policing.

On the first day of the visit, Ambassador Holtzapple and Mayor Milić signed a Memorandum of Understanding establishing a framework for co-operation between the Mission and the Brčko District Government on the implementation of curriculum reform. The reform is based on student learning outcomes, with the aim of fostering quality, inclusive, and relevant education for all students in Brčko District.

On the second day, Ambassador Holtzapple officially opened the Brčko District Police Summer School, which brings together youth from across Bosnia and Herzegovina to learn, build friendships, and gain new experiences while exploring the work of law enforcement agencies and the challenges facing the country, as well as ways to address them. This year’s programme features workshops on topics including Women and Security, Human Trafficking, and the Dangers of Social Media.

“The young people of Bosnia and Herzegovina are the drivers of positive change. By equipping them with functional knowledge, critical thinking skills, and opportunities to engage, we are investing in a more secure, inclusive, and democratic future,” said Ambassador Holtzapple.

The OSCE Mission to BiH remains committed to promoting quality education, mutual understanding, and the rule of law.

596635 Participants at the Central Asia and Türkiye Youth Talks: Fostering Regional Dialogue, Co-operation, and Innovation Munira Shoinbekova, OSCE Programme Office in Dushanbe

On 11-18 August 2025, the OSCE Programme Office in Dushanbe in co-operation with the OSCE Programme Office in Bishkek, the OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Uzbekistan and with the support of the regional youth Network by Consensus conducted a Central Asia (CA) and Türkiye Youth Talks in Istanbul, Türkiye. This cross-dimensional event provided a regional platform for young leaders from CA region and Türkiye to discuss the issues related to strengthening youth dialogue, enhancing financial literacy and developing networking opportunities for the future development of the region.

During the event, 21 young people (12 women and 9 men) from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Türkiye, and Uzbekistan worked together on development of the projects which could further promote the role of youth in three thematic areas: gender and security, financial literacy, and digitalization and anti-corruption. Participants had a chance to meet with the representative of one of the Turkish technological companies to learn from the experience on developing the innovative tech solutions.

One of the highlights of the event was the Youth Talks’ Day, dedicated to peer-to-peer exchange. Young leaders from Central Asia and Türkiye strengthened their skills to engage in decision-making, discussed the role of youth in peace and security, and explored the challenges they face. They shared ideas and worked on joint projects to support progress in their societies. The event emphasized that connecting young people across borders is essential for expanding knowledge, building networks, fostering co-operation, and driving positive change in the region.

596623

The OSCE Mission to Skopje is announcing a call for participants for the Youth Engagement and Empowerment to Counter Radicalization and Violent Extremism Training, to be held from 15–18 September 2025 at Hotel Romantique in Veles.

This initiative aims to equip young leaders with the knowledge and skills to address challenges in conflict prevention and national security. It is the Mission’s third youth-focused program, bringing together 20 students of security studies, law, international relations, and political studies from universities across North Macedonia.

Participants will work with OSCE Mission members and experts from state security institutions, gaining practical perspectives on the complexities of multicultural societies and contemporary security challenges.

Application period: 25 August – 07 September 2025.

Selected participants will be notified by email, so applicants should provide an actively used address. While the application form is in English, submissions in Macedonian or Albanian are welcome.

The OSCE Mission to Skopje will cover all costs related to accommodation, travel, training materials, and meals. Simultaneous interpretation will be provided during the event.

Apply here: https://forms.gle/cJzrtcie2v5ZCwbV6

596539 Željka Šulc

BANJA LUKA, 21 August 2025 – The Deputy Head of the OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina (Mission), Zahid Movlazada, visited Banja Luka today and yesterday, where he met with RSNA Deputy Speaker Mirsad Duratović, Head of SNSD Caucus in the RSNA, Srđan Mazalica, Head of the PDP Caucus in the RSNA, Igor Crnadak,  RS President’s Advisor, Ana Trišić Babić, and President of Independent Movement “Svojim putem”, Igor Radojičić.

The discussions focused on political developments in Republika Srpska, including the challenges related to the ongoing constitutional crisis, and offered an opportunity to reiterate the Mission’s commitment to co-operation and constructive relationship with the RS. 

Deputy Head Movlazada also highlighted the Mission’s firm standpoint: Protection of the constitutional order and the rule of law in BiH is non-negotiable and is in the best interests of RS and its citizens. 

In Banja Luka, the Deputy Head of Mission Movlazada also visited the Mission’s Field Office, where he met with staff to discuss implementation the OSCE mandate in Republika Srpska, aimed at strengthening support for institutions, civil society, and communities across the Entity. 

The OSCE Mission to BiH remains committed to promoting dialogue, supporting democratic institutions, and advancing rule of law and stability throughout Bosnia and Herzegovina.

WARSAW, 22 August 2025 – Greater efforts are needed to support human rights defenders working to protect freedom of thought, conscience, religion or belief as a core human right at the heart of our democracies, the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) said on the International Day Commemorating the Victims of Acts of Violence Based on Religion or Belief.

“Across the OSCE region, individuals and entire communities face discrimination, harassment, and even targeted attacks for their beliefs,” said ODIHR Director Maria Telalian. “Human rights defenders work tirelessly to monitor and document these violations and abuses, and play a critical role in prevention and accountability, often at great personal risk. Their efforts not only help to protect this fundamental right, but also to foster resilient and inclusive societies.”

In recent years, rising government restrictions on religious activities and societal hostility toward religious and belief communities have been reported across the OSCE area. ODIHR has also noted a significant rise in racist, antisemitic, and anti-Muslim incidents in the aftermath of October 7, 2023, including the desecration of places of worship.

Human rights defenders are critical in exposing such abuses, yet they increasingly face threats, illegal surveillance, smear campaigns labelling them as ‘extremists’ or ‘foreign agents’, and strategic lawsuits aimed at silencing them. Women defenders and those from minority backgrounds are often disproportionately targeted. Failure to prevent such harm and unchecked attacks on human rights defenders embolden perpetrators and leave victims without support.

The OSCE’s participating states have committed to “fostering a climate of mutual tolerance and respect between believers of different communities as well as between believers and nonbelievers”. They have also recognized that human rights defenders should be free to “seek the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms.”

Today, ODIHR calls on countries across the OSCE region to uphold these commitments by stopping practices that seek to hinder the work of human rights defenders and protecting those defending human rights, including the right to freedom of religion or belief.

596518 Training on Media Literacy in Urgench (OSCE PCUz/Guzal Fayzieva)

A two-day training session titled "Media Literacy Among Youth as an Effective Tool to Counter Radicalization and Terrorism" was held in Urgench on August 19–20. The event was organized by the Centre for Retraining Journalists of Uzbekistan, which is implementing partner of  theOSCE Project Co-ordinator in Uzbekistan  (PCUz) and supported by the General Prosecutor’s Office of Uzbekistan.

The training gathered journalists, bloggers, and NGO representatives to strengthen their skills in identifying disinformation and promoting responsible media practices. Participants discussed critical thinking, fact-checking, digital tools and cybersecurity, while engaging in practical sessions and exchanging ideas for future collaboration.

In his welcoming speech, Ambassador Antti Karttunen, OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Uzbekistan, emphasized the importance of youth media literacy in today's digital world:

“Developing media literacy is not just about identifying fake news, it’s about developing critical thinking and responsible engagement with all sources of information, regardless of age,” said Antti Karttunen.

He also highlighted the OSCE’s holistic approach to countering terrorism and radicalization, which includes enhancing media literacy as a key preventive measure. This approach is grounded in human rights, the rule of law, and inclusive cooperation involving state institutions, civil society, and the media - all essential in ensuring an informed and resilient youth capable of resisting extremist narratives.

This training is part of the OSCE PCUz' wider project on assisting Uzbekistan in countering terrorism within its politico-military dimension, and is one of several initiatives held across the country to build a safer, more informed digital environment for young people. Similar training events will be continues in other regions.

596438 OSCE is committed to empower youth and engage them in activities that promote gender equality. Munira Shoinbekova, OSCE Programme Office in Dushanbe

The OSCE Programme Office in Dushanbe (POiD) invites national public organizations operating in the Republic of Tajikistan to participate in an open competitive selection process for the implementation of an OSCE POiD project aimed at effectively and sustainably addressing gender-based violence and economically empowering women and girls in the Vahdat district.

A particular focus will be placed on refugees. Following a comprehensive needs assessment, the project will organize targeted information sessions on domestic violence (DV), other related topics, and refugees’ rights, as well as the services available to them. Based on the identified needs, the project will design and implement economic empowerment activities specifically tailored to the needs of the refugee community.

Detailed information, including the Terms of Reference and a list of required documents, can be obtained by sending a request to the following email address: IPA-TJ@osce.org.

If you need additional information or clarification on the application process, please contact Ms. Muhaiyo Kamolova at +992 37 265014/15/16/17/18.

The deadline for submitting the complete set of documents to participate in the application process is September 10, 2025, at 17:00 Dushanbe time.

596432 Participants spent four intensive days learning and practicing foreign direct investment in Central Asia and beyond. Munira Shoinbekova, OSCE Programme Office in Dushanbe

From 14 to 17 August, the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe Programme Office in Dushanbe held a training on Investment Promotion Techniques and Business Etiquette for 20 mid– to senior-level specialists (5 female and 15 male) from the State Committee on Investment and State Property Management. Participants also represented affiliated entities, including the state unitary enterprises Tajinvest, the Centre for Implementation of Public-Private Partnership Projects, the Business Incubator, and the Tajik-Uzbek Investment Association.

Over four intensive days, participants engaged in a comprehensive and hands-on programme combining theoretical insights with practical exercises on foreign direct investment mechanisms in Central Asia and beyond. They explored applied investment tools through group work and simulations, while strengthening soft skills such as cross-cultural communication in realistic business scenarios drawn from international investment forums and trade missions.

Sessions also covered regulatory frameworks supporting entrepreneurship and startups, including access to finance, mentoring, and cross-border co-operation, as well as investment models such as public-private partnerships and Environmental, Social, and Governance approaches. These discussions highlighted the growing role of sustainable finance and responsible investment practices in today’s interconnected economies.

Finally, the training provided a practical framework for navigating cultural differences in international business, helping participants enhance their ability to present and promote investment projects effectively to diverse audiences.

Public Affairs Unit, OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights Katya Andrusz

On 24 July 2025 and following consultation with Ukraine, 41 OSCE participating States invoked the Moscow Mechanism “on violations and abuses of human rights and violations of IHL, including possible cases of war crimes and crimes against humanity, related to the treatment of Ukrainian POWs by the Russian Federation”. More specifically, the tasks of the mission of experts will include those detailed below.*

Ukraine has now selected three people from the list of experts to be part of the mission.

The Moscow Mechanism provides the opportunity for participating States to send missions of experts to assist in the resolution of a particular question or problem relating to the human dimension, which entails the commitments made by participating States on human rights, democracy, and the rule of law. Further information is available here.

In relation to Ukraine, the Moscow Mechanism was last invoked by 45 participating States following consultations with Ukraine in February 2024 to “address arbitrary deprivation of liberty of Ukrainian civilians by the Russian Federation”.

Any information relevant to the work of the Moscow Mechanism can be sent to the following email address ideally by 3 September 2025: moscowmechanism2025@odihr.pl. This will be forwarded in confidence to the expert mission.

The 41 countries that have invoked the Moscow Mechanism on this occasion are: Albania, Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Moldova, Monaco, Montenegro, Netherlands, North Macedonia, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, San Marino, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.

*To “build upon previous findings, and: [t]o establish the facts and circumstances surrounding possible contraventions of relevant OSCE commitments; violations and abuses of human rights; and violations of IHL, including possible cases of war crimes and crimes against humanity, related to the treatment of Ukrainian POWs by the Russian Federation; [t]o collect, consolidate, and analyze this information including to determine if there is a pattern of widespread and systematic torture, ill-treatment and execution of Ukrainian POWs and soldiers hors de combat and/or at detention facilities by the Russian Federation in the temporarily occupied territories and in Russia; and [t]o offer recommendations on relevant accountability mechanisms”.

596378 The 8th Central Asian Expert Forum (OSCE PCUz/Guzal Fayzieva)

The 8th Central Asian Expert Forum (CAEF) took place on 14–15 August 2025 in Tashkent. This year’s theme “Central Asia – a Common Space of Trust, Security and Sustainable Development” brought together over 100 experts, policy-makers, and diplomats to discuss regional dialogue and cooperation across Central Asia and beyond.

The Forum included also expert-led discussion sessions on regional economic integration, sustainable development, and the regional identities. Independent international experts from academia and think tanks provided examples of regional co-operation from other OSCE Participating states.

“The Forum is also a reminder that security and trust are built through dialogue. This is a principle that has guided the OSCE since the signing of the Helsinki Final Act exactly 50 years ago. Trust is not established overnight; it grows from consistent, transparent, and inclusive engagement. This is why gatherings like this – where representatives of all Central Asian states, as well as international partners, can meet face-to-face – are so essential.”, OSCE Project Co-Ordinator in Uzbekistan Ambassador Antti Karttunen said in his opening remarks.

The Forum was hosted by the Institute for Strategic and Regional Studies under the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan.  OSCE Project Co-Odinator in Uzbekistan together with other international organisations supported organisation of the forum.