Programme of the 2023 OSCE Chairpersonship of North Macedonia 3 | Programme of the 2023 OSCE Chairpersonship of North Macedonia
Foreword The OSCE was created almost 50 years ago to The signatory states of the Helsinki Final Act were
IT’S promote dialogue, trust “motivated by the political and co-operation among will, in the interest of the countries that have peoples, to improve and
ABOUT committed to the values intensify their relations and and principles of this to contribute in Europe to Organization. peace, security, justice and
PEOPLE cooperation…”. The OSCE’s principal purpose is to prevent Bettering people’s lives and human suffering. The improving human security people of this wide is the OSCE’s overall region are not only the mission and a priority aim. beneficiaries of our It is our endgame. successes, but they are unfortunately also the first to feel the pains of war and aggression.
BUJAR Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of North Macedonia OSMANI OSCE Chairman-in-Office 2023 5 | Programme of the 2023 OSCE Chairpersonship of North Macedonia
The Russian Federation’s aggression against change and transnational threats. Combatting Ukraine has undermined the European security corruption. Ensuring good governance. Improving architecture. It has shaken the pillars of our human rights. Fighting discrimination. Promoting security and challenged the entire international freedoms. It’s about people. system. It has also disturbed peoples’ sense of In consequence, the 2023 OSCE Chairpersonship their own peace and security. of North Macedonia will focus on people. Although we have stepped deep into the 21st It is our obligation as Chair and as an Organization century, in times we had envisioned to be a to restore hope and work towards a brighter breakthrough era of peace and sustainable, future. comprehensive growth; paradoxically, we are still haunted by the ghosts of the past century: Being at the helm of the OSCE, the flagship conflict, human suffering and insecurity. cooperative security Organization, during these turbulent times conveys both obligations and a Today, people are suffering as a result of the platform from which to act. geopolitical turmoil. Those directly exposed to war and conflict fear for their lives and livelihoods Today, our Organization is needed more than and suffer acutely. Those further away feel the ever. The participating States have invested an insecurity, distress and uncertainty. Their way of immense energy and political capital to develop life is at stake and everyday routines disrupted. an Organization that is capable of safeguarding peace, while fostering dialogue as vehicle to It all comes down to people, across contexts or improve cooperation. As Chair, it is our aim to geography, regardless of who they are or where preserve the Organization’s legacy and to further they live. They all need the same basic things – its mission. security, safety, peace. And they look to us to help. The OSCE must continue to deliver in difficult And our list is long. Resolving and preventing times and demonstrate its relevance and worth. conflict. Restoring trust. Addressing climate The OSCE toolbox has proven to be effective. As An organization that rises to the occasion. If we are a host country of an OSCE field mission, we can in agreement on its existence and relevance, then testify firsthand to the benefits of OSCE’s field it is our duty to keep it functional and to further presences. Therefore, as one of our overarching invest in its resilience. priorities, we will strive to reinforce the focus It is a great honor to serve as Chairman of the on the ground, which is a crucial prerequisite OSCE in 2023. An important mandate has been in empowering people as the final beneficiaries bestowed on us, and we will be vigilant, goal- of the OSCE’s activities. North Macedonia will oriented and resolute in implementing it. promote, support and boost the OSCE’s work on the ground, look to improve co-ordination and joint North Macedonia will work to again promote ownership, while integrating the added value of trust and dialogue as a vehicle for peace and co- field operations, including their tangible impact on operation among the participating States. The people in the OSCE’s daily narrative. success of this effort presupposes full compliance with our agreed principles and commitments, We have complete trust in the important which will serve as the ultimate guidepost of our work of the Organization’s field missions and engagement for the way forward. For the future autonomous institutions, fostering our concept of of our people. comprehensive security. It is our goal to lead and provide avenues to optimize the scope of this unique concept. We will encourage positive changes across dimensions. However, the responsibility lies not just with the Chair but is shared with all participating States. The way forward is to ensure the OSCE is a purposeful and effective organization. A perpetual Bujar Osmani provider. An OSCE whose acquis remains a bedrock Minister of Foreign Affairs of the of European security; and a platform for dialogue Republic of North Macedonia as a conflict prevention and resolution tool. OSCE Chairman-in-Office 2023 7 | Programme of the 2023 OSCE Chairpersonship of North Macedonia
Ukraine will remain a central priority and a The OSCE region continues to be challenged key security issue. Our priority across all three by various security threats that have emerged dimensions will be to provide essential support to or increased in recent years. We will work on Ukraine and its people. comprehensively addressing cyber security challenges and hybrid threats and to improve The Chairpersonship will maintain the essential resilience across different sectors by implementing functions and operations of the Organization, appropriate confidence-building measures. We ensuring that it is able to support vulnerable will also continue to work on the comprehensive regions and remain flexible to address conflicts programme of work delivered by the Secretariat across the OSCE area. Regional instability and field operations to respond to border security and the potential for new crises will require - related challenges and risks. continued attention, along with ongoing
Working to support stabilization and capacity-building processes, including in the South Caucasus, South-Eastern Strengthening of the OSCE’s women, peace and security agenda is also our objective. We will Europe, Eastern Europe and Central Asia. work to enhance the full, equal and meaningful a functional and flexible We support the existing formats related to the protracted conflicts in the OSCE region and their participation of women in the security sector, as well as their inclusion in decision-making throughout the conflict cycle. OSCE, offering a versatile respective mandates. They are a solid platform for dialogue and conflict prevention. Against the We will pay attention to the arms control complex geopolitical landscape and extremely framework acquis as we support compliance
toolbox to help restore peace difficult context for their functioning, we should think of ways ahead, at the same time preserving with existing norms and principles, in particular in the fields of risk reduction and conflict prevention their legacy and proven potential in the future. and continue assistance to participating States and security, prevent conflict We will support and promote cross-regional through projects in the fields of small arms and light weapons and surplus conventional sharing of experience and best practices,
and promote co-operation ammunition. involving the field missions and through ongoing and new projects. In parallel, we will consider the potential of reinvigorating the OSCE Code of Conduct on across the OSCE region. Politico-Military Aspects of Security, as an uncontested unique norm-setting framework.
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We see great value in second dimension issues, Energy security has become a vital element adding to human and overall security. of our common security agenda. We will be providing a basis for discussion of emerging Corruption deepens social inequalities in the challenges related to energy efficiency; the society and erodes trust and confidence. Thus, need for diversification of energy sources and combating it is a shared priority. We will continue resilient energy infrastructure. the efforts to prevent and combat corruption, focusing on specific niche areas like gender and Given our Organization’s holistic approach corruption, digitalization and corruption and to security, within and across dimensions, corruption in the environment, and consider connectivity and people-to-people contacts possible projects for the participating States and will be also priority targets. They have proven regions. We will be also working to link the OSCE beneficial as a part of the confidence-building commitments and activities to good governance measures. Coming from South-Eeastern Europe,
Working to achieve tools that the OSCE can use to support participating States. we will be working on sharing of best practices and building on existing initiatives from our
human security through region. The impact of climate change is one of our greatest global challenges, affecting every region Food security and transboundary water
support for sustainable on Earth. It endangers livelihoods and hinders management pose yet another challenge for people’s access to basic needs such as food, water all of us. We will support continious dialogue on and energy – regardless of borders. We will work these issues. economic growth and on raising further awareness on the nexus of climate change and security, through concrete
environmental co-operation project-related actions.
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Addressing discrimination and intolerance, exchanges and opportunities for skill development, including bias-motived crimes, by promoting including across regions. The goal is to help youth respect for human rights and fundamental become more resilient to common security threats freedoms will be one of the signature features of and challenges. The reconciliation efforts of the our Chairpersonship. Special focus will be given youth in the OSCE region, as well as their vision of to the improvement of the situation of Roma and reinforced integration through inclusive dialogue, Sinti within the OSCE area. networking and project activities will be part of our agenda. We will work on integrating youth Combating trafficking in human beings will be perspectives across all three dimensions. high on the list of our priorities. We will use the 20th anniversary of the OSCE’s Action Plan to Combat Based on North Macedonia’s unique model of Trafficking in Human Beings as an opportunity to a functional multiethnic democracy, we will take stock of progress made and pave the way for initiate and support discussions on the value of addressing emerging challenges. social inclusion and integration and the means to achieve durable and substantive social cohesion. In a rapidly evolving media landscape, upholding and promoting the freedom of media and other The promotion of women´s effective media actors – both off- and online - to address participation in public and political life, and existing and emerging challenges, including those the eradication of violence against women,
Working to uphold stemming from new technologies such as Artificial including women journalists and public figures, Intelligence, will remain our priority. remain essential. Gender equality is an integral part of the OSCE’s comprehensive concept of In reviewing the implementation of our principles basic human rights and and commitments, we consider the active engagement of youth and civil society. A vibrant security. In implementing the programme, we will be
promoting tolerance and resilient civil society is a vital element of a working closely with all participating States, the healthy democracy. Further involvement and co- OSCE’s broader structure: the OSCE Secretariat, operation with civil society and NGOs will be a key autonomous institutions, the OSCE Parliamentary
and non-discrimination part of our agenda. The appointment of a Special Representative of the Chairman-in-Office on Assembly, special representatives, existing conflict resolution formats and the field missions – our Civil Society is a testament to our commitment in Organization’s true value. Given today’s security as prerequisites for this regard. The youth portfolio will be of high priority in the interlinkages, we will also continue working with the OSCE’s Mediterranean and Asian Partners for Co-operation. comprehensive security 2023. The Chair will work on further elaborating and supporting youth-related initiatives, as well as
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