Delegation to the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe

The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) is a regional security organization that works on early warning, conflict prevention, crisis management and post-conflict rehabilitation in the European and Eurasian region.

Spanning a vast geographic area from Vancouver to Vladivostok, the OSCE is the world’s largest regional security organization under the Chapter VIII of the United Nations Charter.

Canada's participation in the OSCE goes back to the inception of its precursor, the Conference on Security and Co-operation in Europe (CSCE). Canada was one of the 35 States present when the CSCE opened on July 3, 1973.

Canada’s priorities at the OSCE

The work of the OSCE corresponds well with Canada’s principled foreign policy: to support human rights and fundamental freedoms; to assist fragile states and regions; to support democracy-building, and the rule of law; and to strengthen regional capacities in conflict prevention, sustainable development and good governance.

Canada is one of the major supporters of the OSCE, its programs, and its field operations. Canadian Members of Parliament and Senate are also actively engaged in work of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly. Canada values the OSCE’s comprehensive and cross-dimensional approach to security and its role in maintaining peace and stability in the Euro-Atlantic and Eurasian region.

Canada’s Delegation to the OSCE

Canada’s Delegation to the OSCE, located in Vienna, Austria, is headed by Ambassador Natasha Cayer. The Delegation reports to the Canadian government on all OSCE-related issues. It works to maintain political dialogue across the Euro-Atlantic region and actively contributes to the implementation of Canadian foreign policy on security, human rights and democratic development.

The Delegation consists of:

• a political-military section,
• an economic and environment section, and
• a human rights section.

The Delegation represents Canada at:

• the Permanent Council,
• the Forum for Security Co-operation, and
• the Ministerial Council.

More statements...