Co-operation with international, regional and sub-regional organizations
The OSCE maintains regular co-operation with a large number of international, regional and sub-regional organizations.
Among its key partner organizations are the United Nations, the European Union, the Council of Europe, and NATO.
The OSCE Secretariat is responsible for sustaining the relationships with its peers and organizes regular bilateral and multilateral meetings at the level of headquarters, in order to build synergies and draw on the strengths and comparative advantages of each organization. As a regional arrangement under Chapter VIII of the United Nations Charter, the OSCE supports the United Nations with maintaining peace and security at the regional level. It also serves as a forum for co-operation with regional and sub-regional organizations and initiatives in the OSCE area.
To address the potential spillover of security threats between the OSCE area and neighbouring regions, the Organization also works with regional organizations from outside the OSCE area. The goal is to share experience and best practices in early warning, conflict prevention, crisis management, post-conflict rehabilitation, promotion of human rights and democratic elections.