OSCE Chairmanship 2023: Key Priorities And Challenges

The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) plays a crucial role in maintaining peace, preventing conflicts, and fostering democracy across its 57 participating States. Each year, a different participating State assumes the Chairmanship, guiding the organization's agenda and priorities. In 2023, North Macedonia held the OSCE Chairmanship, facing a complex and challenging geopolitical landscape. Understanding the key priorities and challenges of North Macedonia's chairmanship provides valuable insights into the OSCE's ongoing efforts to address security threats and promote cooperation in Europe and beyond.

North Macedonia's Chairmanship Priorities

North Macedonia's OSCE Chairmanship in 2023 was guided by the motto "It’s about people." This reflected a commitment to focusing on the human dimension of security, emphasizing the importance of protecting human rights, promoting democracy, and ensuring the well-being of individuals affected by conflict and instability. The Chairmanship set out several key priorities:

1. Strengthening Field Operations

Field operations are the backbone of the OSCE's work on the ground. These missions play a vital role in conflict prevention, crisis management, and post-conflict rehabilitation. Under North Macedonia's leadership, the OSCE prioritized strengthening the effectiveness and efficiency of these field operations, ensuring they have the resources and support needed to fulfill their mandates. This included enhancing their capacity to monitor and report on human rights violations, promote good governance, and support civil society.

North Macedonia recognized that the OSCE's field operations are essential for maintaining stability and promoting peaceful solutions to conflicts. By bolstering these operations, the Chairmanship aimed to enhance the OSCE's ability to respond effectively to crises and support long-term peacebuilding efforts. This involved not only providing financial and logistical support but also fostering closer cooperation between field operations and other OSCE institutions.

2. Focusing on Youth

Recognizing that young people are the future, the North Macedonian Chairmanship placed a strong emphasis on youth engagement and empowerment. The OSCE worked to create opportunities for young people to participate in decision-making processes, promote intercultural dialogue, and develop skills that will enable them to contribute to their communities. This included supporting youth-led initiatives, promoting education and training programs, and fostering youth entrepreneurship.

The Chairmanship understood that investing in youth is crucial for building a more peaceful and prosperous future. By empowering young people and giving them a voice, the OSCE aimed to create a more inclusive and sustainable society. This involved not only addressing the challenges facing young people but also recognizing their potential as agents of change.

3. Combating Corruption

Corruption undermines good governance, erodes public trust, and fuels conflict. The North Macedonian Chairmanship made combating corruption a key priority, working to strengthen anti-corruption measures, promote transparency and accountability, and support civil society organizations that are working to expose and combat corruption. This included promoting the implementation of international anti-corruption standards, providing technical assistance to participating States, and fostering cooperation between law enforcement agencies.

North Macedonia recognized that corruption is a major obstacle to development and security. By tackling corruption, the Chairmanship aimed to create a more level playing field, promote economic growth, and strengthen democratic institutions. This involved not only addressing the symptoms of corruption but also tackling the root causes.

4. Promoting Gender Equality

Gender equality is a fundamental human right and a key factor in promoting peace and security. The North Macedonian Chairmanship worked to advance gender equality in all areas of the OSCE's work, from conflict prevention to economic development. This included promoting the participation of women in decision-making processes, addressing gender-based violence, and ensuring that women have equal access to education, employment, and healthcare.

The Chairmanship understood that gender equality is not only a matter of fairness but also a matter of effectiveness. By promoting gender equality, the OSCE aimed to create a more inclusive and sustainable society. This involved not only addressing the challenges facing women but also recognizing their potential as leaders and agents of change.

5. Protecting Human Rights

The protection of human rights is a core principle of the OSCE. The North Macedonian Chairmanship worked to strengthen the OSCE's human rights monitoring and reporting mechanisms, promote freedom of expression and assembly, and support civil society organizations that are working to protect human rights. This included addressing issues such as discrimination, hate speech, and violence against minorities.

North Macedonia recognized that human rights are essential for maintaining peace and security. By protecting human rights, the Chairmanship aimed to create a more just and equitable society. This involved not only addressing human rights violations but also promoting a culture of respect for human rights.

Key Challenges Faced During the Chairmanship

North Macedonia's OSCE Chairmanship faced a number of significant challenges, primarily stemming from the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and its broader implications for European security. These challenges tested the OSCE's resilience and its ability to fulfill its mandate in a rapidly changing geopolitical environment.

1. The War in Ukraine

The war in Ukraine was the most pressing challenge facing the OSCE in 2023. The conflict has had a devastating impact on the country and its people, and it has also undermined the security and stability of the entire region. The OSCE has played a key role in monitoring the situation, facilitating dialogue, and providing humanitarian assistance. However, the conflict has also strained the OSCE's resources and its ability to operate effectively.

North Macedonia's Chairmanship worked to support the OSCE's efforts to address the crisis in Ukraine. This included advocating for a peaceful resolution to the conflict, providing humanitarian assistance to those affected by the war, and supporting the work of the OSCE's Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine.

2. Polarization and Disagreement Among Participating States

The war in Ukraine has exacerbated polarization and disagreement among OSCE participating States. This has made it more difficult for the organization to reach consensus on key issues and to implement its decisions effectively. The Chairmanship worked to bridge these divides and to promote dialogue and cooperation among participating States.

North Macedonia recognized that overcoming polarization is essential for the OSCE to remain relevant and effective. The Chairmanship worked to foster a spirit of compromise and to find common ground among participating States. This involved promoting transparency, building trust, and encouraging constructive dialogue.

3. Resource Constraints

The OSCE faces resource constraints that limit its ability to carry out its work effectively. The war in Ukraine has placed additional strain on the organization's resources, and many participating States are facing their own economic challenges. The Chairmanship worked to mobilize resources for the OSCE and to ensure that the organization is able to meet its commitments.

North Macedonia understood that adequate resources are essential for the OSCE to fulfill its mandate. The Chairmanship worked to advocate for increased funding for the OSCE and to ensure that resources are used efficiently and effectively. This involved promoting transparency, accountability, and results-based management.

4. Maintaining the OSCE's Relevance

In a rapidly changing world, the OSCE faces the challenge of maintaining its relevance. The organization needs to adapt to new threats and challenges, and it needs to find new ways to promote peace and security. The Chairmanship worked to strengthen the OSCE's capacity to respond to these challenges and to ensure that the organization remains a vital forum for dialogue and cooperation.

North Macedonia recognized that the OSCE must evolve to remain relevant. The Chairmanship worked to promote innovation, to embrace new technologies, and to foster a culture of learning and adaptation. This involved engaging with civil society, academia, and other stakeholders to identify new challenges and opportunities.

Conclusion

North Macedonia's OSCE Chairmanship in 2023 navigated a complex and challenging landscape, marked by the ongoing war in Ukraine and its far-reaching consequences. Despite these obstacles, the Chairmanship remained focused on its core priorities: strengthening field operations, empowering youth, combating corruption, promoting gender equality, and protecting human rights. By addressing these priorities and working to overcome the challenges facing the OSCE, North Macedonia made a valuable contribution to the organization's efforts to promote peace, security, and cooperation in Europe and beyond. The legacy of the 2023 Chairmanship will be defined by its commitment to the human dimension of security and its efforts to ensure that the OSCE remains a relevant and effective organization in a rapidly changing world. The focus on people, as reflected in their motto, underscored the importance of addressing the human cost of conflict and promoting a more just and equitable society for all.