On Monday, 5 October 2026, the conference on the human dimension of the OSCE began in Warsaw. More than 1800 people from the area of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe take part. Switzerland will host this year's OSCE Presidency together with the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights.
The focus is on issues that can be measured by state commitments in everyday life: independent courts, free media and elections, the protection of national minorities and the freedom of assembly. Equality, non-discrimination and the prevention of torture are also part of the programme. Ten plenary sessions and some 90 accompanying events are planned. More than half of the registered participants come from civil society according to the OSCE.
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, who heads the OSCE Presidency in 2026, turned to the conference by video message. EDA Secretary of State Alexandre Fasel spoke on site. The Swiss Presidency intends to present a roadmap for the prevention and elimination of torture during the conference.
Switzerland is at the forefront of the OSCE for the third time; before it was chaired in 1996 and 2014. The Warsaw talks are part of this work. Representatives of states, institutions and human rights organisations can discuss publicly where commitments are being respected and where gaps remain.