Civil society groups present recommendations to OSCE and participating States ahead of Stockholm Ministerial Council

STOCKHOLM, 1 December 2021 - Today, civil society representatives from across the OSCE area presented their recommendations to strengthen the OSCE's approach to conflict prevention at the annual OSCE Parallel Civil Society Conference held in Stockholm and online.

The Stockholm Declaration, adopted during the Civil Society Conference which brought together more than 90 human rights and peacebuilding NGOs from across the OSCE region, was submitted to the OSCE's political structures and institutions, as well as to the organization's 57 participating States on the eve of the 28th OSCE Ministerial Council.

OSCE Chairperson-in-Office and Sweden's Foreign Minister Ann Linde emphasised that: "A vibrant civil society is key for democracy as the beating heart of all societies, including in our organization. They help us keep our eyes on crucial issues and worrying trends and help participating States hold one another to account." She expressed gratitude for the contribution of civil society in relation to all aspects of the OSCE´s work."

OSCE Secretary General Helga Maria Schmid emphasised that: "Civil society organizations play a core role in everything the OSCE does - from conflict prevention, to combatting organized crime, to promoting economic empowerment and beyond. The Stockholm Dialogue, which echoes many of my own priorities for the organization, is a timely reminder of this contribution."

The event was also attended by Matteo Mecacci, Director of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), Kairat Abdrakhmanov, OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities (HCNM) and Teresa Ribeiro, OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media (RFoM).

The Parallel Civil Society Conference, organised by Civic Solidarity Platform, is held annually on the margins of the OSCE Ministerial Council meetings since 2010, with the support of the respective OSCE Chairpersonship.