(Translated by https://www.hiragana.jp/)
What we do | OSCE Skip navigation

0Meta Navigation

× Close search

Navigation

Home Where we are Centre in Ashgabat What we do
OSCE Centre in Ashgabat

What we do

The Centre 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, good governance, and rule of law issues; elections; and media freedom.
Countering terrorism
The Centre holds a constant dialogue with the host government to address existing and evolving transnational threats such as violent extremism and radicalization that lead to terrorism, the use of the Internet for terrorist purposes and foreign terrorist fighters. The Centre supports comprehensive national efforts to counter drug trafficking and cybercrimes.
Combating human trafficking
The Centre runs a variety of seminars and training courses to assist the country in its efforts to prevent human trafficking, prosecute traffickers and protect victims of this ominous crime. The Centre conducts awareness-raising campaigns for youth and the general public, contributes to capacity building and facilitates the participation of national officials in regional conferences and training courses focused on combating trafficking in human beings through collaboration, partnership and anti-trafficking standards.
Rule of law
The Centre provides training on legislative techniques for representatives of the parliament and other law-making institutions. It organizes study visits for parliamentarians to other OSCE participating States and OSCE institutions, including to ODIHR. As part of its support for legal reform, the Centre has developed a database that includes all official legislative acts and international treaties to which Turkmenistan is a party. It is assisting the state in compiling a set of commentaries to a number of national legislative acts.
Elections
To assist the country with the holding of democratic elections, the Centre works with the Central Election Commission and the parliament on recommendations to bring the electoral legislation in line with international standards. It also organizes study visits for election officials to other OSCE participating States.
Gender equality
The Centre works and maintains partnerships with national legislative and human rights institutions, public organizations and unions on a number of issues and projects targeting gender mainstreaming and domestic violence. The Centre ensures the promotion of gender equality by providing expert and legal advice to relevant national authorities and stakeholders in Turkmenistan on gender-related commitments.
Environmental activities
The Centre’s key activities in this field are aimed at raising the awareness of representatives of relevant institutions and organizations about environmental issues and building their capacities to address them. It assists Turkmenistan in the implementation of its international commitments under the Aarhus Convention and other international environmental instruments. The Centre also actively contributes to endorsing national policies on the sustainable use of natural resources, and continuously supports the development of national environmental legislation. In addition, the Centre provides a platform for national discussions and promotes a regional dialogue on environmental issues.
Arms control
The Centre assists Turkmenistan in improving the security, safety, and management of state-controlled stockpiles of small arms and light weapons, and conventional ammunition. It trains senior and mid-level armed forces officers on ammunition storage management. The Centre holds workshops and round-table meetings to discuss issues such as how to implement the 2011 Vienna Document provisions on reciprocal verification visits, information exchange and defence planning.
Good governance
To assist Turkmenistan with the implementation of its commitments to combat corruption and money laundering and terrorist financing, the Centre supports the Good Governance Centre within the Ministry of Finance and Economy. It organizes training seminars and workshops for senior experts and civil servants on international mechanisms and tools to prevent corrupt practices, curb money laundering and terrorist financing, and improve the integrity of the public service. The Centre also provides expert support to the Ministry of Finance and Economy in drafting and amending legislation on anti-money laundering and combating the financing of terrorism.
Border management
As part of its extrabudgetary project “Strengthening Border Service Capacities in Turkmenistan”, the Centre regularly organizes activities, such as advanced border patrol, maritime, alpine, medical and canine training, and workshops covering security aspects of trade facilitation. Workshops on relevant aspects of border management for participants from Turkmenistan and Afghanistan are also part of this project. The Centre also organizes specialized training courses for navy and border security officers, customs personnel, and aviation and airport security staff on topics that range from patrolling procedures and surveillance techniques to maritime security protocols and airport safety management. The Centre trains Turkmen law enforcement officials on techniques to counter drug trafficking, strengthen travel document security, and promote a code of conduct for law enforcement.
Human rights
The Centre regularly organizes seminars and training courses for officials from the judiciary and legislative authorities, law enforcement, legal practitioners, office of the Ombudsperson and human rights researchers to familiarize them with international human rights standards and OSCE commitments in this area. It also trains prison officers on prisoners’ rights and organizes human rights lectures at universities and institutes.
Conflict prevention and resolution
As part of its extrabudgetary project “Assistance to Istanbul Process Secretariat”, the Centre supports Turkmenistan’s co-chairmanship of the Regional Infrastructure – Confidence Building Measures (RI-CBM) of the Heart of Asia – Istanbul Process by facilitating the organization of regular meetings of the technical working groups and other events in Ashgabat hosted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan.
Media freedom and development
Providing assistance in the modernization of Turkmenistan’s media legislation and the reform of journalism education are the Centre’s main activities in this field. It trains journalism students and instructors on modern reporting techniques and work standards in traditional print, broadcast and online media. It also works on media reform with the parliament and other institutions, assisting with the drafting and enhancing of the country’s media legislation.
Economic activities
The Centre supports national efforts towards further economic development. It also implements activities aimed at enhancing regional co-operation and improving economic connectivity through facilitating political dialogue in the area of good economic governance. The Centre contributes to the building of national capacity in the area of effective transport and trade management. It also conducts awareness-raising training workshops on labour migration issues for national stakeholders, including officials and non-governmental organizations.