Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe Programme Office in Astana WHO WE ARE The Programme Office in Astana is an OSCE field operation based in the capital of Kazakhstan, Astana. Based on the Decision of the Permanent Council No. 1153, from 1 January 2015, the OSCE Centre in Astana was transformed into an “OSCE Programme Office in Astana”. The Office develops, implements and reports on programmatic activities within all three OSCE dimensions of security.
As of 23 September 2022 the name of the Programme Office in Nur- Sultan was changed to Programme Office in Astana following a name change of Kazakhstan's capital. The change is reflected in the Journal of the 1390th Plenary Meeting of the OSCE Permanent Council. The Mandate remains unchanged. Staff members: The Office maintains contacts with central and local authorities, It has a staff of six universities, research institutes, representatives of civil society and international and non-governmental organizations. It helps arrange OSCE regional 22 national personnel. events, including regional seminars and OSCE delegation visits.
The Office provides assistance to the Government of Kazakhstan by building the capacity of national stakeholders and by facilitating the information exchange between OSCE institutions and relevant state agencies on OSCE activities.
Mandate The Office is entrusted with supporting Kazakhstan in implementing OSCE principles and commitments in all three dimensions within the OSCE framework approach to co- operative security, and in the regional context. The Office maintains contacts with central and local authorities, universities, research institutes, representatives of civil society and non-governmental organizations. It helps arrange OSCE regional events, including regional seminars and OSCE delegation visits. The Office provides assistance to the Government of Kazakhstan by building the capacity of national stakeholders and by facilitating the information exchange between OSCE institutions and relevant state agencies on OSCE activities. It also contributes to raising awareness of the OSCE's values, principles and field activities among government and non-governmental institutions.
Unified Budget: €2,232,700 Extrabudgetary actual expenditure: €646,644.92 Head of the OSCE Programme Office in Astana Ambassador Alexey Rogov from Russia was appointed Head of the OSCE Programme Office in Astana on 1 September 2025. Ambassador Rogov has been a counsellor for the Russian delegation to the UN Commission on Human Rights in Geneva, head of the desk – human rights and civil society at the Russian Mission to the UN, New York and Minister – Counsellor at the Russian Embassy in Denmark, Copenhagen. Prior to his appointment in Astana, he was the Head of the OSCE Programme Office in Bishkek. HISTORY The OSCE has a comprehensive approach to security that encompasses politico- military, economic and environmental, and human aspects. It therefore addresses a wide range of security-related concerns, including arms control, confidence- and security-building measures, human rights, rule of law, democratization, policing strategies, counter-terrorism and economic and environmental activities.
All 57 participating States enjoy equal status, and decisions are taken by consensus on a politically, but not legally binding basis.
A foundational document for the OSCE/CSCE, the Helsinki Final Act set key principles such 1 August 1975, Helsinki as sovereignty, human rights, and peaceful dispute resolution. It remains a cornerstone of the Organization’s mission.
To reflect its expanded role and responsibilities, the Conference on Security and Co-operation in Europe (CSCE) was renamed the 1 January 1995, Budapest Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) with its Secretariat in Vienna. This change marked a shift toward active conflict prevention and field work.
The OSCE established its first field presence in 23 July 1998, Almaty Kazakhstan with the OSCE Centre in Almaty.
The OSCE Centre in Astana was formally relocated by decision of the OSCE to support June 2007, Astana Kazakhstan’s reform and co-operation efforts in line with the Organization’s mandate.
Kazakhstan, as Chair of the OSCE hosted the first OSCE Summit since 1999, resulting in the Astana 1-2 December 2010, Astana Commemorative Declaration, which reaffirmed commitment to OSCE principles. It remains the most recent summit held by the OSCE.
The OSCE Centre in Astana is transformed into the OSCE Programme Office in Astana 1 January 2015, Astana with a mandate covering all three dimensions of security. WHAT WE DO
Meeting of the Tobol-Torgay River Basin Combating corruption by Council and training workshop on water improving civil confiscation of conservation technologies. assets. Strengthening the expertise of newly appointed police Supporting the host country’s local investigators in governance through practical training combating trafficking seminars for local councils (maslikhats). in human beings. Strengthening border security through training-of- Seminar on enhancing trainers for the Coast Guard the safety and of Kazakhstan. efficiency of navigable hydraulic structures in the East Kazakhstan region. Petropavl
Qostanay Astana Pavlodar Oral Aktobe Qaragandy Semey Oskemen Atyrau Jezkazgan Taldyqorgan
Qyzylorda Taraz Aktau Shymkent Almaty
Strengthening legal awareness and professional Bringing children standards for repatriated from journalists. conflict zones closer Advancing to a sense of interagency community. Training seminar for co-ordination in emergency prevention responding to marine specialists on the use and pollution. Strengthening gender- update of the “Digital Safety sensitive prosecutorial Passport” and “Interactive response to trafficking Map” subsystems. in human beings in Kazakhstan’s regions. POLITICO-MILITARY DIMENSION Border management Parliamentary development and Promoting the OSCE’s border security local self-governance concept and integrated border management Working with Kazakhstan’s Parliament on in Kazakhstan. enhancing the efficiency, accessibility, and Organizing training seminars on document transparency of parliamentary processes in security, underwater security, international Kazakhstan. profiling techniques, combating Supporting the local self-governance reform transnational organized crime, illegal process by providing capacity-building for trafficking of drugs and chemical precursors. maslikhats (local representative bodies).
Policing Women, Peace and Working with Kazakhstan’s police, law-enforcement agencies, Security and NGOs on projects to help strengthen regional security, Supporting Kazakhstan in the enhance police management, counter cybercrime, combat implementation of the UN illicit drug trafficking, violent extremism, terrorism, and other Security Council Resolution transnational threats while respecting human rights. 1325 and other Resolutions Providing international expertise in support of security and by providing capacity law enforcement sector. building activities advancing Helping officials from the region to exchange experiences the role of women in the and enhance cross-border co-operation. security sector.
Co-operation in the security sector Supporting Kazakhstan in strengthening OSCE Confidence- and Security-building Measures. Supporting the security sector co-operation in the regional context through promoting the Vienna Document 2011 and the Code of Conduct of Politico-Military Aspects of security. Working on securing and destroying surplus small arms and light weapons, and conventional ammunition.
Participants of the International Seminar on Practical exercises with UAVs during the Experts' visit to K-9 training center in the Vienna Document 2011 held in Almaty, advanced Training of Trainers for UAV Almaty, June 2025. 22-24 April 2025. instructors held in Lenger, 4 October 2024.
EXTRA-BUDGETARY ACTIVITIES ADDRESSING CONTEMPORARY SUPPORT THE REPUBLIC OF KAZAKHSTAN IN THE SAFETY AND SECURITY RISKS IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF EFFECTIVE POLICIES TO COUNTER REPUBLIC OF KAZAKHSTAN CYBERCRIMES (PHASE I) Duration: 01 December 2023 - Duration: 1 August 2023 - 31 May 2027 1 May 2026
Objective: to contribute to the MoD Objective: supporting Kazakhstan in building a life-cycle management of CA capacities comprehensive, systematic approach to tackling and the Border Service capacities in cybercrimes through the development of a strategic countering risks of proliferation of document compliant with the international legal SALW, CA and explosives from framework, capacity building of law enforcement Afghanistan. instructors, and raising overall public cyber awareness. ECONOMIC AND ENVIRONMENTAL DIMENSION Good governance Collaborating with key agencies to enhance national efforts in anti-money laundering and countering the financing of terrorism (AML/CFT), with a focus on improving risk assessment, recovering illegally transferred assets from the country, and building capacities among stakeholders to address emerging challenges related to illicit financial transactions; Promoting transparency and accountability principles to combat corruption, and facilitating prevention measures; Supporting the host country with the implementation of international commitments and monitoring mechanisms on AML/CFT and combating corruption, such as the United Nations Convention against Corruption, the Financial Action Task Force, the Council of Europe Group of States against Corruption and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development recommendations.
Connectivity and economic growth Water management Supporting the host country in advancing Supporting the host country at multiple levels to cross-border trade and connectivity by promote integrated water resources management by collaborating with the respective state strengthening the planning and sustainable agencies to harmonize customs procedures governance capacities of basin councils. and security measures. Facilitating transboundary water co-operation Organizing relevant capacity-building events to through the promotion of dialogue, data sharing, and enhance transport security and port confidence-building measures among neighbouring management capacities, aiming to promote OSCE participating States. the strengthening of transport corridors. Enhancing national expertise in the water sector by Promoting the development of small- and supporting the development and institutionalization medium-sized enterprises, particularly in of university-level (bachelor’s degree) education regions and rural areas of Kazakhstan, and standards and curricula focused on water resources with special focus on women economic management. empowerment.
Disaster risk reduction Environmental protection Assisting the host country in Strengthening environmental governance through the strengthening national and local disaster development of a number of national documents, risk preparedness and resilience by strategies, and conducting assessments in co-operation supporting the development and with respective state and non-state partners; deployment of digital tools and Supporting the host country in the implementation of technologies to enhance real-time various environmental-related commitments with the aim monitoring, risk mapping, and to promote sustainable development principles; forecasting capabilities. Enhancing public participation and awareness in the Supporting the civil protection system by environmental decision-making processes, and promoting enhancing the disaster response principles of the Aarhus Convention; capacities of local communities, through Building the next generation of environmental leaders by the creation and training of school-based organizing programmes for youth, aimed at increasing the emergency response teams to ensure capacities, regional engagement, and policy influence of preparedness and community-level young professionals in water management, environmental engagement in emergencies. protection and disaster risk reduction.
Participants of the specialized training The opening of the workshop “Removing Participants of the meeting of the Tobol- seminar on the use of “Digital Safety Administrative Barriers Contributing to Torgay Basin Council dedicated to Passports” and “Interactive Map” subsystems Corruption” held on 8–9 April 2025 in integrated water resources management held from 12 to 23 May 2025 in Almaty. Kosshy. and water conservation strategies held on 26 May 2025 in Kostanay. HUMAN DIMENSION Combating human trafficking Supporting state agencies in implementing effective anti-trafficking measures. Assisting with expertise in drafting legislation and providing capacity-building for Kazakhstan’s officials, law enforcement officers, and judges. Creating training activities and simulation exercises to highlight international standards and tools for prevention, prosecution, and protection in combating trafficking (including tech-facilitated trafficking) in human beings.
Gender equality Human rights Raising awareness for gender issues in Supporting Kazakhstan in strengthening human society and the prevention of rights and fundamental freedoms. A particular harassment of women and girls in priority is to strengthen the country’s national public places. human rights institutions and civil society Providing expertise to improve the organizations. legislative framework on equal rights Partnering with stakeholders to implement ratified and opportunities for women and men, international human rights conventions, domestic as well as on preventing and combating laws and national action plans in compliance with domestic violence. OSCE principles and commitments. Assisting in capacity building for local Assisting in promotion of the rights of persons with non-governmental organizations. disabilities.
Media freedom and development Rule of law Working with a network of local journalists, media Fostering dialogue between outlets, and government and civil society experts Kazakhstan’s authorities and civil society to promote transparency and fundamental rights. on promoting the rule of law and Encouraging public discourse on media legislation strengthening democratic institutions. in Kazakhstan and supporting reform initiatives. Assisting in aligning legislative reforms Conducting capacity-building training courses for with international standards and OSCE journalists covering a range of topics, including: principles and commitments. human rights; ethical considerations in media Facilitating analysis and discussion on coverage of gender issues; openness; access to proposed legislation to support the host information; and the utilization of new country in its judicial reform process. technological tools.
Participants of Central Asian Dialogue Participants of the Central Asian Press panel at the regional conference Platform “Women in Justice: Professional simulation-based training on human on combating domestic violence in Development through Association”, trafficking held in Kyrgyzstan, June 2025. Central Asia held in Almaty, 25 September 2025. November 2024.
EXTRA-BUDGETARY ACTIVITIES IMPROVING THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE JUSTICE SYSTEM IN KAZAKHSTAN Duration: 17 September 2021 - 31 December 2026
Objective: to promote the rule of law and enhance transparency, accountability, and efficiency in the justice system of Kazakhstan. CONTACT INFORMATION OSCE Programme Office in Astana 10 Beibitshilik Street Z10K8H4 Astana Kazakhstan
Office: +7 7172 580070 poia@osce.org
@osce_astana
OSCE Programme Office in Astana
@OSCEinAstana