Switzerland’s OSCE Chairpersonship 2026
1 Preamble
For the third time, Switzerland is assuming the Chairpersonship of the Organization for Security and Co - operation in Europe (OSCE). This is an honour that comes with great responsi- bility for my country.
Fifty years after Helsinki, one thing is clear: the principles that made Euro- pean security possible have been under- mined. Built on trust in shared rules, the OSCE now operates in an environment of heightened geopolitical tension, on a continent marked by Russia’s war against Ukraine.
I remain convinced that even the most Multilateralism is not doomed to erosion. Switzerland will hold the OSCE Chairper- entrenched conflicts reveal cracks It can be revived if we act with clarity. This sonship in 2026 with one simple convic- through which light can shine – fragile, requires a return to the fundamentals: the tion: when diplomacy seems impossible, uncertain, but real. The OSCE must be Helsinki principles1, for security based it becomes indispensable. It is up to us ready if a window, however narrow, opens on shared rules, respect for sovereignty, to demonstrate that the OSCE is up to for de-escalation, a truce or an end to this and the primacy of dialogue over force. the task. In an unstable world, clarity is a war with its devastating consequences. Anchored in the United Nations Charter, responsibility. Ready to monitor, verify, document, these principles are not merely symbolic and accompany. Ready to become once but constitute a manual for action that we more what it has always been in decisive must apply together. moments: an impartial actor, present on the ground, bringing stability. This is our This ambition can only be achieved with unique added value. the support of participating States, OSCE Ignazio Cassis executive structures, and all those who Chairman-in-Office have been involved in the organisation Federal Councillor since its inception. I am delighted to be Head of the Federal Department able to draw on this collective momen- of Foreign Affairs FDFA tum.
1 The Helsinki Final Act is available here: www.osce.org/helsinki-final-act 2 Priorities of the Swiss OSCE Chairpersonship
1. Helsinki Principles – for The OSCE exists to maintain channels 4. Democracy, rule of law 5. OSCE’s ability to act lasting peace of communication on security, including and human rights between States in conflict. It will focus Despite tensions, the OSCE remains In the face of war in Europe, Switzerland specifically on issues of arms control and Switzerland will strengthen the role of indispensable. Each crisis underlines the is committed to a just peace in Ukraine, military risk management. In the cyber democratic institutions and the protec- need for reform. Switzerland will address based on international law and the Hel- domain, its priority will be to prevent unin- tion of fundamental freedoms. It will this need to preserve the basic instru- sinki principles. It will bring its mediation tended escalations through targeted con- support OSCE field missions and elec- ments – missions, election observation – experience to the service of dialogue, fidence-building measures, which will be tion observation, so that democracy and and to ensure their financing. trust and security. explored in greater depth at a conference human rights remain at the heart of Euro- hosted by the Chairpersonship. pean security. The OSCE will focus its resources on The OSCE is mobilising its instruments activities where it has a comparative across all three dimensions to support a Human rights, like the economy and the advantage. With reforms underway, it just and lasting peace in Ukraine and to 3. Anticipating technologies – for a environment, are also security issues. will enhance its effectiveness and focus, prepare for the future. It must be able to safe and humane future Against the backdrop of a crisis in mul- thereby transforming budgetary con- act quickly on the ground to prevent and tilateralism, the OSCE will strengthen straints into strategic choices for the resolve conflicts. Respect for the Helsinki Technologies are transforming our future. targeted cooperation with other inter- future. The OSCE’s field operations in principles is a prere quisite for lasting Switzerland will promote governance national organisations, including the UN the Western Balkans, Moldova and Cen- security in Europe. centered on human needs, linking sci- and the Council of Europe, in order to tral Asia will remain a key instrument of ence and diplomacy, notably in water, act more coherently and effectively. The prevention and security, enabling early energy and digital security. focus will be on the resilience of democ- detection of tensions and limiting the 2. Inclusive multilateral diplomacy racies, in particular through support for risks of regional escalation. The OSCE will leverage new technologies free and transparent elections, credible In the only platform bringing together to enhance its effectiveness and effi- legislative processes and the independ- Europe, the United States and Russia, ciency. The search for solutions to trans- ence of the judiciary. Switzerland will foster an open dialogue national challenges in the areas of water on security. It will encourage cooperation and energy will be one of the subjects of on cybersecurity, politico-military instru- a Chairpersonship conference on the role ments and conflict prevention, relying on of science diplomacy in anticipating new its neutrality and tradition of facilitation. technologies.
3 Conferences of the Swiss OSCE Chairpersonship
Four international conferences will be held in Switzerland to explore the Chairpersonship’s priorities in greater depth.
“Combating anti-Semitism: addressing “Anticipating technologies – for “From Geneva to Helsinki: “De-escalation in cyberspace: mediation challenges of intolerance and a safe and humane future” founding process and core purpose and preventive diplomacy” discrimination” Geneva, 7–8 May 2026 of the OSCE” Zug, 29–30 September 2026 St Gallen, 9–10 February 2026 Bern, 3–4 September 2026 This conference will focus on how sci- This conference will focus on the risks The first conference of the year will focus entific and technological advances are The 18th International Conference of Edi- of escalation in cyberspace and how to on combating antisemitism and other transforming security and cooperation in tors of Diplomatic Documents (ICEDD) use preventive diplomacy and mediation forms of intolerance. It will aim to take Europe. Discussions will revolve around is being organised by Dodis (Swiss Dip- to tackle such risks. Participating States stock of current trends and bolster coop- anticipating emerging technologies – lomatic Documents) with the support of will examine how the OSCE’s cyberse- eration between participating States and such as AI and quantum computing – and the FDFA. Based on archival documents curity confidence-building measures are civil society stakeholders. Discussions their potential in terms of conflict pre- from several countries, this conference developed and implemented, what role will be centered on concrete prevention vention and trust-building. Drawing on will provide an opportunity for histori- consultation mechanisms may play in measures, sharing best practice and the the unique ecosystem of International cal reflection on the creation and raison the event of major incidents, and poten- role of sport in combating hatred and dis- Geneva, Switzerland’s goal is to make this d’être of the Conference on Security and tial contributions from AI and the private crimination. meeting a lasting driver of science diplo- Co-operation in Europe, which led to the sector. A hands-on ‘scenario exercise’ will macy in the pursuit of peace. establishment of the OSCE. round off the political sessions.
Switzerland will wrap up its Chairpersonship year by hosting the annual OSCE Ministerial Council, on 3 and 4 December 2026 in Lugano. This will be a key political moment aimed at consolidating the year’s achievements and giving new impetus to multilateral cooperation and dialogue.
4 The Helsinki Principles
Sovereign Refraining Inviolability Territorial Peaceful equality, respect from the threat of frontiers integrity settlement for the rights or use of force of States of disputes inherent in sovereignty
1 2 3 4 5 Non- Respect for Equal rights Co-operation Fulfilment intervention human rights and self- among States in good faith in internal and fundamental determination of obligations affairs freedoms of peoples under international law 6 7 8 9 10
“Switzerland will hold the OSCE Chairpersonship in 2026 with one simple conviction: when diplomacy seems impossible, Website : it becomes indispensable. Switzerland’s OSCE Chair- It is up to us to demonstrate personship that the OSCE is up to the task. 2026 In an unstable world, clarity is a responsibility.” Ignazio Cassis Chairman-in-Office #OSCE26CH
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