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Home Where we are Programme Office in Astana What we do
OSCE Programme Office in Astana

What we do

The OSCE Programme Office in Astana works on security issues, including arms control; border management; the fight against terrorism; trafficking in human beings, arms and drugs; economic and environmental topics; human rights and rule of law issues; and media freedom.
Border management
To promote the OSCE’s border security concept and integrated border management in Kazakhstan, the Office regularly organizes training seminars on document security, international profiling techniques, combating transnational organized crime, illegal trafficking of drugs and chemical precursors.
Combating human trafficking
The Office supports the host country in implementing effective anti-trafficking measures, in particular a national referral mechanism that creates a framework for the protection of victims’ rights. It also assists with providing support in drafting legislation and providing capacity-building, and practical training activities for Kazakhstan’s officials, law enforcement officers, and judges. The training activities highlight international standards and tools for prevention, prosecution, and protection in combating trafficking (including tech-facilitated trafficking) in human beings.
Economic activities
The Office focuses on sustainable development and good governance in promoting economic security, a favourable business climate, and small- and medium-sized entrepreneurship. It works with the authorities and civil society in Kazakhstan on preventing and fighting corruption, anti-money laundering, countering the financing of terrorism, facilitating sound trade, transit and customs procedures, and energy security.
Environmental activities
Water resource management, environmental protection, and disaster risk reduction are the main themes of the OSCE’s environmental portfolio in Kazakhstan. The Office promotes regional co-operation on environmental concerns, supports Kazakhstan’s efforts to transition to a green economy, and promotes the implementation of the Aarhus Convention on public access to information and participation in environmental decision-making and justice in the country.
Gender equality
The Office works with civil society and government agencies to raise awareness for gender issues in society and to promote the participation of women in politics and economy at decision-making levels. It provides expertise to improve the legislative framework on equal rights and opportunities for women and men, as well as on preventing and combating domestic violence, and trains local non-governmental organizations on these issues.
Human rights
The Office focuses on supporting Kazakhstan in strengthening human rights and fundamental freedoms. A particular priority is to strengthen the country’s human rights institutions and civil society. The Office also helps Kazakhstan implement ratified international human rights conventions, domestic laws and national action plans in compliance with OSCE principles and commitments. It assists in combating human trafficking and domestic violence, promoting tolerance, equal opportunities for women and men as well as media-related issues.
Media freedom and development
Working with a network of local journalists, media outlets, and government and civil society experts, the Office encourages public discourse on media legislation in Kazakhstan and supports reform initiatives. The Office further conducts capacity-building training courses for journalists, covering a range of topics, including economic and environmental security; human rights; ethical considerations in media coverage of terrorism; gender issues; openness; access to information; and the utilization of new technological tools.
Supporting confidence and security-building measures
The Office supports Kazakhstan in strengthening OSCE Confidence- and Security-building Measures. It supports the security sector reform and co-operation in the regional context through promoting the Vienna Document 2011 and the Code of Conduct of Politico-Military Aspects of security. The Office also works on securing and destroying surplus small arms and light weapons, and conventional ammunition.
Policing
Working with Kazakhstan’s police, law-enforcement agencies, border service, and customs officers, the Office runs projects to help strengthen regional security, promote democratic policing, counter cybercrime, violent extremism and terrorism while respecting human rights. It provided international expertise in support of law enforcement reforms and helps officials from the region exchange experiences and enhance cross-border co-operation.
Rule of law
In its efforts to promote the rule of law and to strengthen democratic institutions, the Office fosters dialogue between Kazakhstan’s authorities and civil society on these crucial matters. It offers assistance in aligning legislative reforms with international standards and OSCE principles and commitments. Additionally, the Office facilitates analysis and discussion on proposed legislation to support the host country in its judicial reform process, with an ExB project specifically focusing on court administration, the evaluation of judges’ professional activities, judicial education, and evidence-based policymaking.