Switzerland to chair the OSCE in 2026

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 30, ARMENPRESS. In 2026, Switzerland will chair the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) for the third time, following its chairpersonships in 1996 and 2014.

According to a statement issued on the OSCE website, Switzerland was elected by the participating states of the organisation in a secret ballot. It will assume first executive functions already from 1 January 2025: as a member of the troika – comprising the 2024 (Malta), 2025 (Finland) and 2026 (Switzerland) chairs – it will be responsible for relations with the Mediterranean states, among other things.

On 30 December 2024, Ian Borg, the Maltese foreign minister and OSCE chairperson-in-office, has announced Switzerland's election as chair for 2026.

With 57 participating states, the Vienna-based OSCE is the world's largest regional security organisation. Its focus is on overcoming differences and building trust. Switzerland has been a member of the OSCE since 1973,