Switzerland's OSCE Chairmanship Deepens Central Asia Engagement

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — Switzerland Uses OSCE Chair to Reinforce Dialogue With Uzbekistan Amid Complex Security Landscape

Switzerland, holding the 2026 chairmanship of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, has signaled Central Asia — and Uzbekistan in particular — as a priority engagement zone, as Swiss and OSCE officials met Tashkent-based media to outline the presidency's agenda and bilateral cooperation projects.

The briefing brought together Swiss Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Uzbekistan Constantin Obolensky and OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Uzbekistan Ambassador Antti Karttunen, who presented the chairmanship's priorities and discussed the state of joint initiatives in the country.

The OSCE, which groups 57 states across North America, Europe, and Central Asia, remains the world's largest regional security organization. Switzerland's presidency focuses on reinforcing the OSCE's role as a platform for multilateral engagement, advancing comprehensive security principles, and developing practical cooperation instruments — approaches grounded in Switzerland's tradition of neutrality, mediation, and facilitated dialogue.

Ambassador Obolensky framed the chairmanship as a response to a deteriorating international environment. "In a complex international situation, the OSCE remains an irreplaceable platform for states to engage, seek mutual understanding, and work together on shared security challenges. We are pleased to continue this work with our partners in Uzbekistan and across the OSCE area," he said.

On the ground in Uzbekistan, the Swiss Embassy and the OSCE Project Co-ordinator are implementing initiatives covering sustainable development, improved governance, security, and community resilience — all governed by a Joint Roadmap for 2026–2027 agreed with Uzbekistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Ambassador Karttunen noted Uzbekistan's trajectory as a constructive foundation for the partnership. "The OSCE supports these processes through practical partnership that strengthens institutions, fosters dialogue, and delivers tangible results for citizens. Switzerland's chairmanship creates additional opportunities to advance a shared agenda," he said.

Switzerland's four overarching presidency priorities — strengthening peace and stability, building state resilience against modern threats, advancing human rights and fundamental freedoms, and developing effective international cooperation — map closely onto Central Asia's own reform and security agenda, positioning the chairmanship year as a moment of alignment between Bern's diplomatic tradition and the region's evolving needs.