The 32nd meeting of the OSCE Ministerial Council concluded today. The Council welcomed more than 1,200 participants from participating States, Partners for Co-operation, international organizations, civil society and media to Vienna. The Ministers and the Secretary General extended their appreciation to Austria for their exceptional hospitality during the Ministerial Council.
The Council reviewed and addressed the security situation across the OSCE region. “Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine has affected the core pillars of security for the whole OSCE region and hampered the work of the Organization,” said the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Finland Elina Valtonen.
The Council discussed the future of the OSCE. As the OSCE Chair, Finland has conducted the Helsinki+50 Discussions throughout the year with all participating States, Partners for Co-operation, OSCE executive structures as well as civil society. These discussions have reaffirmed the principles of the Helsinki Final Act, signed in 1975, and underlined that these principles must continue to guide the OSCE and serve as the foundation for European security. They have also strengthened the OSCE as a platform for dialogue and set the path for ambitious reforms.
“Despite the war and the absence of an approved budget, the Organization continues to deliver. The Helsinki+50 Discussions have laid a solid foundation for reforms to strengthen the OSCE further. I welcome the incoming Chair Switzerland’s pledge to continue the process also next year,” added Valtonen.
To catalyze the reforms, Finland established the Helsinki+50 Fund. The Fund strengthens the OSCE’s operational capacity and strategic focus, and has already attracted pledges of over €17 million from 18 countries.
The Council voiced appreciation for the US mediation efforts with Russia and Ukraine.
“I call on all of us to support Ukraine in achieving a just and lasting peace – as soon as possible. I am convinced that the way this war ends—and its legitimacy under international law and OSCE principles—will decisively shape the future of peace and stability across the OSCE region and beyond, said Valtonen.
Finland has throughout its Chairpersonship led contingency planning for the OSCE’s role regarding possible ceasefire in Ukraine and worked with autonomous institutions on expanding support.
“Switzerland will assume the OSCE Chairpersonship in 2026 with a simple conviction: when diplomacy seems impossible, it becomes indispensable. It is up to us to show that it can meet expectations, by acting with courage and clarity, “said the incoming OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, Federal Councillor of Switzerland, Ignazio Cassis.
“Built by participating States over fifty years, the OSCE is designed for open and inclusive diplomacy on security issues in Europe. Our founding fathers and mothers proved that even at the bleakest moments, dialogue is possible, even and especially between adversaries – if there is space for it. The OSCE remains that space,” said OSCE Secretary General Feridun H. Sinirlioğlu
“At this time of deep polarization and war, my message to participating States was that we urgently need to revitalize this unique Organization. With its inclusive membership and its effective tools on risk reduction, transparency, and de-escalation, the OSCE remains the only forum capable of rebuilding trust in Europe through diplomatic dialogue and practical co-operation,” he added.
The Ministers and the Secretary General committed to continuing the work to strengthen the OSCE. This includes renewed efforts to reach consensus on the OSCE’s unified budget, which has not been adopted since 2021.
