The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) is the world’s largest regional security organization, encompassing 57 participating states from North America, Europe, and Central Asia. Established in 1975 as the Conference on Security and Co-operation in Europe (CSCE) during the Cold War, it was restructured as the OSCE in 1995 to reflect its expanded role in promoting security, stability, and cooperation in the region.
OSCE’s comprehensive approach to security encompasses three dimensions: the politico-military dimension, the economic and environmental dimension, and the human dimension. In the politico-military dimension, OSCE monitors and addresses conflicts, arms control, and military transparency, working to prevent and resolve conflicts and build trust among participating states.
In the economic and environmental dimension, OSCE promotes economic cooperation, energy security, and environmental sustainability, emphasizing the linkages between security, development, and environmental protection. In the human dimension, OSCE focuses on promoting democracy, human rights, and the rule of law, monitoring elections, protecting minority rights, and combatting human trafficking and terrorism.
OSCE’s activities include diplomatic negotiations, conflict mediation, election observation missions, capacity building, and confidence-building measures. Despite its achievements, OSCE faces challenges such as tensions between participating states, divergent national interests, and limited resources. However, as a multilateral forum for dialogue and cooperation, OSCE remains a key actor in promoting security, stability, and cooperation in the Euro-Atlantic and Eurasian region.