PROGRAMME OF THE POLISH OSCE CHAIRMANSHIP It is an honour and a privilege to assume the Chairmanship of the OSCE for 2022. History always brings us back to the indisputable universal values of freedom, solidarity, responsibility and the indivisibility of security. An awareness of the interdependence between security on the one hand and human rights, democracy and the rule of law on the other was the inspiring principle of the Helsinki Final Act. This document laid the foundations for co-operation and dialogue that transcended the confrontations of the Cold War. It created a bridge that led to a new institutional level – the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe. Since then, the fundamental principles of the OSCE have not lost their significance. In the almost 50 years since the Helsinki Final Act, an impressive network of interlinked political and military commitments has arisen under the OSCE framework. Therefore, it serves as a reminder that it is worth giving up particular interests for the sake of common goods
1 such as sustainable peace, stability and democracy. The OSCE is about rebuilding the culture of dialogue in the spirit of compromise as the most effective method of solving crises. We have the necessary toolbox to improve the security environment, de-escalate tensions and at least try to rebuild basic trust and confidence. Genuine dialogue among the participating States must be based on the principles of international law and a strong commitment to existing OSCE instruments and tools. We will strive to encourage discussions on the new strategic challenges of our time when the lines between war and peace are becoming increasingly blurred. If only for this reason, these challenges are looming ever larger in the risk assessments of participating States. We want to mobilise the good will of all our partners – with no exceptions. During our Chairmanship, Poland will spare no effort in trying to live up to the expectations and ideals that guide the OSCE – preventing and resolving conflicts, fostering dialogue, building trust and transparency in security matters, and promoting human rights and civil society. Poland will always and invariably stand on the side of international law and protecting the most vulnerable.
Zbigniew Rau Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Poland OSCE 2022 Chairman-in-Office
2 1 Supporting the OSCE’s conflict resolution formats and processes, with special attention to promoting comprehensive assistance to conflict-affected populations
Making progress towards territorial integrity and unity of peaceful resolution of conflicts in Ukraine within its internationally the OSCE area in line with OSCE recognised borders. A strong principles and commitments presence of the OSCE Special will be at the top of our agenda. Monitoring Mission in Ukraine, Bringing real improvements to along with full respect for its the lives of people in conflict- mandate, is pivotal in this respect. affected zones will be one of our main objectives. The OSCE remains a suitable forum to foster regional dialogue The Polish OSCE Chairmanship and has unique instruments to is ready to act as an honest de-escalate tensions. The Polish broker and mediator between OSCE Chairmanship will offer participating States, including its full support for the OSCE through the active involvement Minsk Group and its Co-Chairs of special and personal in their endeavour to reach a representatives of the Chairman- comprehensive and peaceful in-Office. We will also take conflict resolution. It would advantage of the knowledge and considerably improve security, expertise of field missions, which stability, and prosperity in the are crucial to the OSCE’s smooth entire region. functioning. The Geneva International The conflict in and around Discussions play a fundamental Ukraine remains a pressing role in facilitating a peaceful and challenge for European security. sustainable resolution of the Poland will seek to contribute conflict in Georgia. Poland’s OSCE to the diplomatic efforts of Chairmanship will spare no effort the Normandy Format and to advance this process, always the Trilateral Contact Group, keeping in mind its impact on the in compliance with the Minsk affected population. Agreements, and with full respect for the sovereignty,
3 In the same vein, we will support The rapid evolution of the progress in the Transdniestrian cyber space exposes us to Settlement Process through new threats and challenges, stronger dialogue and confidence- which can only be tackled building measures. successfully through increased international co-operation. To Arms control and Confidence achieve high national levels of and Security-Building Measures resilience, Poland will promote are indispensable to our common and universalise OSCE best security. Ensuring compliance practices in this respect, through with and strengthening existing campaigns to raise social arms control instruments remain awareness, promote cyber essential to restore political education and build cyber social and military stability within resilience. the OSCE area. This includes the full implementation and Terrorism and violent modernisation of the Vienna extremism continue to pose Document. major threats to security, stability and peace in the OSCE We see the OSCE’s role in tackling area. Holistic and well-funded hybrid threats, fostering dialogue counterterrorism measures are on military transparency and risk needed to protect our citizens reduction. The Forum for Security from these perils. The Polish Co-operation and the Structured OSCE Chairmanship intends Dialogue are appropriate to continue efforts aimed at places to advance discussions strengthening the Organization’s in this regard. We will continue toolbox in this area. implementing the Women, Peace and Security agenda within the Organization. Equal participation and full involvement of women in peace and security constitute an indispensable element of the OSCE’s comprehensive concept of security.
4 2 Responding to post-COVID challenges in the OSCE through effective multilateralism
As stated in the Helsinki Final Act, Sharing experience effective economic co-operation and best practices in is crucial in the pursuit of promoting employment and peace and security in the OSCE competitiveness; boosting region and beyond. The ongoing innovation and new technologies; COVID-19 pandemic has painfully enhancing efficient energy exposed the vulnerability and solutions and sustainable use of fragility of our economies. At the natural resources with the view same time, it has shown their to greening the economy are all high degree of interdependency. crucial steps toward this objective. Climate change also needs to Our common goal remains to be taken into account, since it ensure a sustainable recovery multiplies existing challenges and and continued modernisation increasingly affects our economy, of our economies. Co-ordinated security and stability. global actions, multilateral co- operation and solidarity are Following up on the work of the fundamental in this respect. previous OSCE Chairs, we wish to continue discussions of good The Polish OSCE Chairmanship governance, anti-corruption will stimulate discussions on and women’s economic effective ways to mitigate empowerment, including in the the pandemic’s effects. Our broader context of recovery. ambition is to look past the COVID horizon and reflect on how to The fast digital transformation build back better so that our of many spheres of public life economies become more resilient during the ongoing pandemic and better equipped to face raises new questions about the future challenges. opportunities and challenges posed by this development.
5 Digital transformation affects The security of the OSCE area the politico-military, economic, is tightly linked to neighbouring environmental, and human rights- regions. Following the OSCE related aspects of security. The Mediterranean Partnership Polish OSCE Chairmanship will Chairmanship, Poland will further encourage further debate on the seek to promote constructive digital era’s new challenges. dialogue with the Mediterranean and Asian Partners for Co- We see considerable potential for operation. In addition, to boost co-operation with international political engagement with OSCE governmental and non- activities, we will continue to governmental organizations. endorse inter-parliamentary It is our intention to explore dialogue and the fundamental opportunities for advancing the contribution of the OSCE OSCE’s relations and practical Parliamentary Assembly. co-operation with international partners, including within existing frameworks, to bolster comprehensive security in the OSCE region. Effective multilateralism is the best way to achieve this goal.
6 3 Fully utilising the OSCE’s potential by working in a spirit of co-operation to implement our shared commitments
The Polish OSCE Chairmanship two objectives complement and will spare no effort to assist reinforce each other and Poland participating States in fostering will be committed to advancing dialogue while guarding the them. Organization’s principles and commitments. Upholding the Our efforts will be guided by a OSCE’s comprehensive concept of human-centred perspective security, which combines political which seeks to improve the and economic security with conditions of the weakest human rights and democracy, and most vulnerable. Building will be at the very centre of our upon our experience in other actions. international fora, the Polish Chair will be paying special attention Against this backdrop, we will to the situation of children be paying special attention to and people with disabilities effectively implementing who, along with other vulnerable the broad range of OSCE groups, require our support and commitments, including in protection. the Human Dimension. Lasting security can be achieved only To ensure inclusiveness, Poland with respect for human rights will enhance and promote broad and well-functioning democratic participation of youth in OSCE institutions. events. We will devote our efforts to including the views of Poland’s Chairmanship will young people in discussions at facilitate discussions on human different levels and in different rights and fundamental freedoms formats within the OSCE, and to in the OSCE region. We will put facilitating organization of youth- special emphasis on freedom of led or youth-related activities religion or belief which is closely during OSCE events. interlinked with security as it is understood in the OSCE. These
7 We will support the independent We will seek co-operation with mandates of all OSCE civil society organizations as autonomous institutions: we acknowledge their role in the Office for Democratic helping participating States fulfil Institutions and Human Rights, OSCE commitments and ensure the High Commissioner on respect for human rights and National Minorities, and the fundamental freedoms. Representative on Freedom of the Media. We will closely work together to promote tools that ensure the full implementation of our joint commitments made at OSCE fora.
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