News and press releases

Today, the OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina (Mission) marked a significant milestone in its ongoing initiative to strengthen gender representation in law enforcement through the provision of IT equipment to the Police Women’s Network Association and the RS Ministry of Interior Women’s Network (RS WPON).

SKOPJE, 5 November 2024 — Organized crime poses an urgent threat in South-Eastern Europe, with illegal arms trafficking and migrant smuggling jeopardizing regional and global security. To confront these issues and drive concerted action across the region, the OSCE Mission to Skopje, in co-operation with EU4FAST, is hosting a High-Level Police and Customs Co-operation Conference in Skopje from 5 to 7 November.

The OSCE hosted a high-level meeting in Vienna on 25 October, focusing on the strategic advancement of police canine capabilities for the prevention and detection of illicit trafficking of Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW) in South-Eastern Europe.

From 21 to 23 October 2024, the OSCE Presence in Albania conducted a comprehensive three-day training course focused on Informant Management, specifically designed for the Albanian State Police Informant Management Unit. This initiative also welcomed participation from representatives of the

The OSCE Programme Office in Bishkek is supporting a series of joint inter- and intra-agency exercises designed to enhance collaboration between the Border Service and law enforcement agencies in combating the illicit trafficking of small arms and light weapons, conventional ammunition, and explosives in southern Kyrgyzstan. These scenario-based exercises are vital in reinforcing co-operation between the Border Service’s internal structures and units, while also fostering stronger partnerships with law enforcement agencies. By working together, participants will become familiar with each other’s operational procedures, improving their ability to respond swiftly and effectively to security threats.

On 2 and 3 October 2024, the OSCE and the European Union Advisory Mission to Ukraine (EUAM) organized a seminar in support of Ukraine’s National Co-ordination Centre on combating the illicit trafficking of firearms, their components and ammunition. The seminar, held in Kyiv, brought together 20 representatives from across Ukrainian law enforcement agencies who are members of the Co-ordination Centre, established in June 2024, or will support its work.

Against the backdrop of persistent security challenges in South-Eastern Europe, a milestone in the fight against transnational threats and organized crime has been achieved. Today, the OSCE Mission to Skopje opened the new state-of-the-art Regional K9 Training and Certification Centre in Gjorche