Federal Council sets priorities for Switzerland's OSCE chairpersonship in 2026

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Switzerland will chair the OSCE from 1 January 2026. Its candidacy was approved by the organisation on 30 December 2024 following calls by numerous participating states for it to take on the role. Switzerland submitted its candidature as part of an ongoing commitment to actively support peace, security and stability in Europe and beyond.

The Federal Council has determined five priorities for Switzerland's term. Switzerland aims to promote respect for the principles of the Helsinki Final Act in support of lasting peace in Europe, and to strengthen inclusive dialogue between all 57 participating states. It also intends to promote anticipatory science diplomacy, with a view to ensuring cooperative security, and to support democracy, the rule of law and human rights. Finally, it will work to maintain the OSCE's ability to act – a concern shared not just by European countries, but also by the US and Russia.

The Federal Council will consult the foreign affairs committees of the National Council and the Council of States on these priorities and inform the Swiss Delegation to the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly of the results. Exchanges will also take place with the other OSCE participating states. The head of the FDFA, Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, will present the definitive priorities for Switzerland's term to the OSCE's Permanent Council in mid-September 2025.

Once a year, usually in December, the country chairing the OSCE convenes a ministerial meeting. The Federal Council today approved the supplementary budget that will be used to organise this meeting, allocating CHF 5.25 million to the FDFA for this purpose.

With 57 participating States, the OSCE is the world's leading regional security organisation. It focuses primarily on overcoming differences and building trust. Switzerland has been a member of the OSCE since its creation in Helsinki in 1975. It is the first country to have chaired the organisation three times, following previous terms in 1996 and 2014.

Press release, 30.12.2024
News platform: Switzerland to assume OSCE chairpersonship in 2026