PCOEJ1574 PC.JOUR/1574 Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe 23 July 2026 Permanent Council Original: ENGLISH Chairmanship: Switzerland 1574th PLENARY MEETING OF THE COUNCIL 1. Date: Thursday, 23 July 2026 (in the Ratsaal) Opened: 10.05 a.m. Closed: 12.50 p.m. 2. Chairperson: Mr. N. Plattner Russian Federation (Annex 1) During the course of the meeting, the Dean of the Permanent Council (Croatia) bade farewell to the Permanent Representative of Sweden to the OSCE, Ambassador A. Olsson Vrang. 3. Subjects discussed – Statements – Decisions/documents adopted: Agenda item 1: THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION’S ONGOING AGGRESSION AGAINST UKRAINE Chairperson, Ukraine (PC.DEL/789/26), United Kingdom, Ireland-European Union (with Albania, Andorra, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Moldova, Monaco, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Norway, San Marino and Ukraine, in alignment) (PC.DEL/781/26), Canada (PC.DEL/788/26), Türkiye (PC.DEL/791/26 OSCE+), Norway (PC.DEL/787/26), Russian Federation (PC.DEL/776/26) Agenda item 2: REPORT BY THE HEAD OF THE OSCE PROGRAMME OFFICE IN BISHKEK AND THE DIRECTOR OF THE OSCE ACADEMY IN BISHKEK Chairperson, Head of the OSCE Programme Office in Bishkek (PC.FR/8/26 OSCE+), Director of the OSCE Academy in Bishkek, Ireland-European Union (with Albania, Andorra, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Norway and Ukraine, in alignment) (PC.DEL/780/26), United States of America, Turkmenistan (also on behalf of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan) (PC.DEL/772/26
- 2 - PC.JOUR/1574 23 July 2026 OSCE+), Russian Federation (PC.DEL/773/26 OSCE+), Türkiye (PC.DEL/784/26 OSCE+), United Kingdom, Norway (PC.DEL/786/26), Germany (PC.DEL/785/26 OSCE+), Italy (PC.DEL/775/26 OSCE+), Japan (Partner for Co-operation) (PC.DEL/777/26), Kyrgyzstan Agenda item 3: DECISION ON THE THEME, AGENDA AND MODALITIES FOR THE 32ND ECONOMIC AND ENVIRONMENTAL FORUM Chairperson Decision: The Permanent Council adopted Decision No. 1531 (PC.DEC/1531) on the theme, agenda and modalities for the 32nd Economic and Environmental Forum, the text of which is appended to this journal. Ireland-European Union (with Albania, Andorra, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Norway, Serbia, San Marino and Ukraine in alignment) (interpretative statement, see attachment 1 to the decision), United Kingdom (interpretative statement, see attachment 2 to the decision), Russian Federation (interpretative statement, see attachment 3 to the decision), Canada (interpretative statement, see attachment 4 to the decision), Chairperson Agenda item 4: REVIEW OF CURRENT ISSUES (a) The ongoing hybrid war waged by NATO and the European Union against Russia: Russian Federation (PC.DEL/779/26) (b) Recent drone attacks on oil tankers in the Black Sea at the loading terminal for the Caspian Pipeline Consortium: Kazakhstan (PC.DEL/783/26 OSCE+), Russian Federation (PC.DEL/778/26 OSCE+), Türkiye (PC.DEL/782/26 OSCE+), United Kingdom, Canada, Kyrgyzstan, Ukraine (Annex 2) Agenda item 5: REPORT ON THE ACTIVITIES OF THE CHAIRMAN-IN-OFFICE (a) Current visit of a number of OSCE Ambassadors to Ukraine: Chairperson, Russian Federation (b) Visit of the Special Representative of the Chairperson-in-Office for the Transdniestrian Settlement Process, Ambassador T. Lenk, to Moldova: Chairperson (c) Co-facilitation by the Special Representative of the Chairperson-in-Office for the South Caucasus, Ambassador C. Späti, of the Incident Prevention and Response Mechanism meeting being held in Ergneti, Georgia, on 23 July 2026: Chairperson
- 3 - PC.JOUR/1574 23 July 2026 Agenda item 6: REPORT OF THE SECRETARY GENERAL Announcement of the distribution of a written report of the Secretary General (SEC.GAL/90/26 OSCE+): Representative of the Office of the Secretary General Agenda item 7: ANY OTHER BUSINESS None 4. Next meeting: Thursday, 30 July 2026, at 10 a.m., in the Ratsaal
PC.JOUR/1574 Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe 23 July 2026 Permanent Council Annex 1 ENGLISH Original: RUSSIAN 1574th Plenary Meeting PC Journal No. 1574, Point 2 STATEMENT BY THE DELEGATION OF THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION Mr. Chairperson, It is disappointing that the Swiss Chairmanship-in-Office, bending to the political climate, continues to include a confrontational item on “Russian aggression against Ukraine” in the Permanent Council’s agenda. Such actions by the Chairmanship are directly incompatible with standing agenda items as established by the Rules of Procedure of the OSCE (chapter IV.1(C)). This precludes the possibility of equal and non-discriminatory participation in a discussion of the developments in and around Ukraine. The convening of Permanent Council meetings must be fully in line with the Rules of Procedure of the OSCE as regards consultations with all the participating States (paragraphs IV.1(C)1 and IV.1(C)3) and may not run counter to the provisions of the mandate of the Chairmanship-in-Office, which unambiguously obligates the Chairmanship to take the whole spectrum of opinions into account in its actions (Porto Ministerial Council Decision No. 8 of 2002). We request that this formal reservation be reflected in the journal of today’s meeting of the Permanent Council in accordance with paragraph IV.1(A)6 of the Rules of Procedure of the OSCE. Thank you for your attention.
PC.JOUR/1574 Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe 23 July 2026 Permanent Council Annex 2 Original: ENGLISH 1574th Plenary Meeting PC Journal No. 1574, Agenda item 4(b) STATEMENT BY THE DELEGATION OF UKRAINE Mr. Chairperson, We share the concerns over the deterioration of the regional security situation in the Black Sea and the Russian Federation bears full responsibility for that. Russia brought death and terror to the Black Sea region, while starting its war of aggression against Ukraine with the temporarily occupation of Crimea in 2014. It purposely blocks freedom of navigation in the region. It militarizes the Black Sea, using it in its full-scale military invasion of Ukraine. Let me reiterate that Ukraine never wanted this war to happen. We are forced to defend our freedom against brutal aggression, imposed on us by the Russian Federation. Kazakhstan, its citizens, its infrastructure, and its economic interests have never been, and are not, considered military targets by Ukraine. Any attacks against the infrastructure of the Caspian Pipeline Consortium or other economic and energy facilities of Kazakhstan are not in Ukraine’s interest. The armed forces of Ukraine attack only legitimate targets both on the territory of the Russian Federation and on the temporarily occupied territory of Ukraine. These include military personnel and equipment of the aggressor State, its military bases and enterprises of the military-industrial complex, as well as facilities which are being used to support the Russian war machine in killing Ukrainians. We are not targeting civilian infrastructure or residential areas like Russians do in their massive ballistic and drone attacks against Ukrainian cities. Contrary to Russia, we have never implemented any actions which could threaten global security or the interests of other States concerning nuclear, energy or food security. On 14 July, Russia attacked two merchant vessels sailing through the Black Sea maritime corridor under the flags of Tanzania and Liberia. The strike killed the captain of one of the vessels and injured three crew members.
- 2 - PC.JOUR/1574 23 July 2026 Annex 2 On the evening of the same day two people were killed on board of the Marshal Islands-flagged vessel, which was hit by the Russians. On 17 July, a Russian strike in the Odesa region damaged the bulk carrier Venturo, killing one person and forcing the evacuation of 17 crew members. On 19 July, a Russian attack on a merchant vessel flying the flag of Guinea-Bissau near Odesa killed ten people. Russia is holding global food security hostage, trying to block Ukraine’s Black Sea maritime corridor right at peak harvest. This is deliberate economic and humanitarian terror. The only effective way to achieve this and prevent further escalation is to collectively force Russia to stop its aggression, marked in particular by its actions undermining the freedom and safety of navigation in the Black Sea. Thank you, Mr. Chairperson.
PC.DEC/1531 Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe 23 July 2026 Permanent Council Original: ENGLISH 1574th Plenary Meeting PC Journal No. 1574, Agenda item 3 DECISION No. 1531 THEME, AGENDA AND MODALITIES FOR THE 32nd ECONOMIC AND ENVIRONMENTAL FORUM The Permanent Council, Pursuant to Chapter VII, paragraphs 21 to 32, of the Helsinki Document 1992; Chapter IX, paragraph 20, of the Budapest Document 1994; Ministerial Council Decision No. 10/04 of 7 December 2004; Ministerial Council Decision No. 4/06 of 26 July 2006; Permanent Council Decision No. 743 of 19 October 2006; Permanent Council Decision No. 958 of 11 November 2010; and Permanent Council Decision No. 1011 of 7 December 2011, Relying on the OSCE Strategy Document for the Economic and Environmental Dimension (Annex 1 of MC(11).JOUR/2) and relevant Ministerial Council decisions, Building on the outcomes of past Economic and Environmental Forums, as well as on the results of relevant OSCE activities, Decides that: 1. The theme of the 32nd Economic and Environmental Forum will be: “Strengthening security and stability in the OSCE area through anticipating technologies and science-based diplomacy”; 2. The 32nd Economic and Environmental Forum will consist of two meetings, including a joint preparatory meeting that will take place in Vienna. The concluding meeting will be held on 10 and 11 September 2026 in Prague. These arrangements shall not set a precedent for future meetings of the Economic and Environmental Forum. The Office of the Co-ordinator of OSCE Economic and Environmental Activities, under the guidance of the OSCE Chairmanship for 2026, will organize the above-mentioned meetings; 3. The agenda of the Forum will focus on the impact of the following topics on the comprehensive security of the OSCE area: – Enhancing capabilities in anticipating technologies, including their potential and risks for systems, notably in relation to data analytics and strategic foresight;
- 2 - PC.DEC/1531 23 July 2026 – Fostering good governance through science-based policymaking and evidence-informed action; – Promoting multi-stakeholder engagement and private-public partnerships; – Strengthening national and regional capacities through knowledge sharing, access to information and bridging technology gaps; 4. The agendas of the Forum meetings, including timetables and themes of the working sessions, will be proposed and determined by the OSCE Chairmanship for 2026, after being agreed upon by the participating States in the Economic and Environmental Committee; 5. The Economic and Environmental Forum will review the implementation of the OSCE’s commitments in the economic and environmental dimension, including through presentations of activities implemented by the Office of the Co-ordinator of OSCE Economic and Environmental Activities and the field operations; 6. The discussions at the Forum should benefit from cross-dimensional input provided by other OSCE bodies and relevant meetings organized by the Office of the Co-ordinator of OSCE Economic and Environmental Activities, under the guidance of the OSCE Chairmanship for 2026, and from deliberations in various international organizations; 7. The participating States are encouraged to be represented at a high level by senior officials responsible for shaping national and international economic and environmental policy in the OSCE area. Participation in their delegations of representatives from the business and scientific communities and of other relevant actors of civil society would be welcome; 8. As in previous years, the format of the Economic and Environmental Forum should provide for the active involvement of relevant international organizations and encourage open discussions; 9. The following international organizations, international organs, regional groupings and conferences of States are invited to participate in the 32nd Economic and Environmental Forum: Asian Development Bank; Barents Euro-Arctic Council; Organization of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation; Central European Initiative; Collective Security Treaty Organization; Commonwealth of Independent States; Conference on Interaction and Confidence-Building Measures in Asia; Council of Europe; Council of the Baltic Sea States; Economic Cooperation Organization; Energy Community; Energy Charter Treaty; Eurasian Economic Commission; Eurasian Economic Union; European Bank for Reconstruction and Development; European Environment Agency; European Investment Bank; Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations; Green Cross International; International Atomic Energy Agency; International Energy Agency; International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA); International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea; International Maritime Organization; International Monetary Fund; International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement; International Committee of the Red Cross; North Atlantic Treaty Organization; Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC); OPEC Fund for International Development (OFID); Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development; Organization for Democracy and Economic Development – GUAM; Organisation of Islamic Cooperation; Regional Cooperation Council; Secretariat of the
- 3 - PC.DEC/1531 23 July 2026 United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification; Southeast European Cooperative Initiative; Secretariat of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change; Shanghai Cooperation Organisation; United Nations Development Programme; United Nations Economic Commission for Europe; United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific; United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development; United Nations Environment Programme; United Nations Human Settlements Programme; United Nations Industrial Development Organization; United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs; United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction; United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Refugees; UN Women; United Nations Special Programme for the Economies of Central Asia; World Bank Group; World Health Organization; World Meteorological Organization; World Trade Organization; Advisory Group on Environmental Emergencies; Joint UNEP/OCHA Environment Unit; International Strategy for Disaster Reduction; United Nations Children’s Fund; Capacity for Disaster Reduction Initiative (CADRI); United Nations Disaster Assessment and Coordination; International Civil Defence Organization; World Food Programme; Global Facility for Disaster Reduction and Recovery; Inter-Parliamentary Union; Regional Environmental Centre for Central and Eastern Europe (REC); Regional Environmental Centre for Central Asia (CAREC); Secretariat of the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity; and other relevant organizations; 10. The OSCE Partners for Co-operation are invited to participate in the 32nd Economic and Environmental Forum; 11. Upon request by a delegation of an OSCE participating State, regional groupings or expert academics and business representatives may also be invited, as appropriate, to participate in the 32nd Economic and Environmental Forum; 12. Subject to the provisions contained in Chapter IV, paragraphs 15 and 16, of the Helsinki Document 1992, the representatives of non-governmental organizations with relevant experience in the area under discussion are also invited to participate in the 32nd Economic and Environmental Forum; 13. The 2026 joint preparatory meeting will be held in English and Russian with interpretation. These arrangements will not constitute a precedent to be relied upon in other circumstances.
PC.DEC/1531 23 July 2026 Attachment 1 Original: ENGLISH INTERPRETATIVE STATEMENT UNDER PARAGRAPH IV.1(A)6 OF THE RULES OF PROCEDURE OF THE ORGANIZATION FOR SECURITY AND CO-OPERATION IN EUROPE The delegation of Ireland, in its capacity as EU Presidency, passed the floor to the representative of the European Union, who delivered the following statement: “In connection with the decision on the theme, agenda and modalities for the 32nd Economic and Environmental Forum, the European Union would like to make the following interpretative statement under paragraph IV.1(A)6 of the OSCE Rules of Procedure: The European Union reiterates its support for the Swiss Chairmanship’s efforts aimed at adopting the decisions necessary for holding the OSCE mandated events. We welcome that consensus has been reached today regarding the decision on the 32nd Economic and Environmental Forum. The European Union places great value on the economic and environmental dimension as an integral part of the OSCE’s comprehensive approach to security. We would like to remind all participating States of the responsibility to reach consensus and adopt, in a timely and predictable manner, the decisions on all mandated events, across all three OSCE dimensions of security, to ensure their proper preparation and conduct. We regret that some participating States have systematically blocked or unduly delayed consensus on the Permanent Council decisions regarding the OSCE mandated events, notably for holding the OSCE Human Dimension Implementation Meeting – the key human rights event in the OSCE area. A selective approach to OSCE commitments, including to OSCE mandated events, contradicts the OSCE’s comprehensive and co-operative approach to security. We request that this statement be attached to the decision and reflected in the journal of the day. Albania, Andorra, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Iceland, Liechtenstein, the Republic of Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Norway, Serbia, San Marino and Ukraine align themselves with this interpretative statement.”
PC.DEC/1531 23 July 2026 Attachment 2 Original: ENGLISH INTERPRETATIVE STATEMENT UNDER PARAGRAPH IV.1(A)6 OF THE RULES OF PROCEDURE OF THE ORGANIZATION FOR SECURITY AND CO-OPERATION IN EUROPE By the delegation of the United Kingdom: “In connection with the adoption of this decision on the theme, agenda and modalities for the 32nd Economic and Environmental Forum, I would like to make the following interpretative statement under paragraph IV.1(A)6 of the OSCE Rules of Procedure. The Economic and Environmental Forum is the premier event in the second dimension of the OSCE. The United Kingdom has joined consensus on the adoption of this decision to ensure that the Forum will be well positioned to achieve its objectives. Similarly, it is of critical importance that the decisions on the premier events in the first dimension, the Annual Security Review Conference, and in the third dimension, the Human Dimension Implementation Meeting, are also adopted each year in a timely manner to ensure that they too are well positioned to achieve their objectives. As set out in the Helsinki Final Act and reaffirmed repeatedly, including in the Astana Declaration: ‘The OSCE’s comprehensive and co-operative approach to security, which addresses the human, economic and environmental, political and military dimensions of security as an integral whole, remains indispensable.’ A selective approach to our OSCE commitments is not acceptable. Commitments in all three dimensions must be fulfilled, including in holding the mandated meetings and conferences. With this understanding, we remind all participating States of the obligation to ensure the mandated events take place across all three dimensions. I request that this statement be attached to the decision and reflected in the journal of the day. Thank you.”
PC.DEC/1531 23 July 2026 Attachment 3 ENGLISH Original: RUSSIAN INTERPRETATIVE STATEMENT UNDER PARAGRAPH IV.1(A)6 OF THE RULES OF PROCEDURE OF THE ORGANIZATION FOR SECURITY AND CO-OPERATION IN EUROPE By the delegation of the Russian Federation: “Having joined the consensus regarding the Permanent Council decision on the theme, agenda and modalities of the 32nd Economic and Environmental Forum, the Russian Federation proceeds from the following assumptions. That members of the Russian delegation will not have obstacles put up against them in the course of the Forum’s work or during their stay on the territory of the Czech Republic. That the expressions used by the Swiss Chairmanship-in-Office for the Forum’s theme and in the titles of its sessions, in particular ‘anticipating technologies’ and ‘science-based diplomacy’, are not to be regarded as OSCE consensus-based language. I request that this statement be attached to the adopted decision and included in the journal of today’s meeting of the Permanent Council.”
PC.DEC/1531 23 July 2026 Attachment 4 Original: ENGLISH INTERPRETATIVE STATEMENT UNDER PARAGRAPH IV.1(A)6 OF THE RULES OF PROCEDURE OF THE ORGANIZATION FOR SECURITY AND CO-OPERATION IN EUROPE By the delegation of Canada: “Mr. Chairperson, In connection with the adoption of the decision on the theme, agenda and modalities for the 32nd Economic and Environmental Forum, Canada would like to make the following interpretative statement under paragraph IV.1(A) 6 of the OSCE Rules of Procedure: The Economic and Environmental Forum is the main annual event of the OSCE’s second dimension. While Canada welcomes the adoption of this decision, we regret that it was not adopted in a timely fashion, which would have allowed the full cycle of events to proceed as intended. Canada nevertheless joined the consensus to help ensure that the Forum remains well positioned to achieve its objectives. Similarly, it is of importance that the decisions concerning the annual events of other dimensions are also adopted, in a timely fashion, to ensure that they too are well positioned to achieve their objectives. A selective approach to OSCE commitments is not acceptable. As set out in the Helsinki Final Act and reaffirmed repeatedly, including in the Astana Declaration: ‘The OSCE’s comprehensive and co-operative approach to security, which addresses the human, economic and environmental, political and military dimensions of security as an integral whole, remains indispensable.’ With this understanding, we remind all participating States of their obligation to ensure that the mandated events take place across all three dimensions. We specifically call upon all participating States to adopt a decision concerning the Human Dimension Implementation Meeting in a timely manner. I request that this statement be attached to the decision and reflected in the journal of the day. Thank you.”