Strengthening Regional Co-operation on SGG/R

Several OSCE commitments, particularly in the area of transnational threats, recognize the importance of strengthening regional security co-operation. The mandates of certain OSCE field operations also highlight the need to support regional initiatives. Although each security sector is country-specific and SSG/R is primarily a national process, there are several reasons why a regional approach to SSG/R support may be beneficial:

• Regional approaches may provide entry points for SSG/R support at the national level: Some SSG/R issues may be perceived as too sensitive to be discussed at the national level (e.g., sexual harassment or corruption in the security sector). Discussions at the regional level can de-sensitize and raise awareness on such issues, bringing a new dynamic into reform processes and opening doors for further progress. Moreover, supporting the development or implementation of regional commitments may make it easier to advocate for certain issues to be addressed at the national level. Providing a regional platform also makes it possible to bring together a variety of actors who may not be able or willing to meet at the national level. This can contribute to confidence-building among different stakeholder groups.
• Regional approaches are necessary for addressing transnational challenges: Many of today’s security threats and risks (e.g., organized crime, trafficking in human beings, terrorism, cybercrime) are of a transnational nature. Addressing them effectively, therefore, requires regional co-operation, as recognized in several OSCE commitments. Supporting regional exchanges among national security sector institutions is also important in order to promote confidence-building as a prerequisite for collaboration on addressing transnational challenges.
• Regional approaches facilitate exchanges of good practices and lessons learned from reform processes: SSG/R processes can be challenging in any country. Participating States can therefore greatly benefit from sharing experiences – whether positive or negative – from the implementation of reforms in their security sectors. Regional events and activities can facilitate the identification and sharing of such experiences. For example, the OSCE assists participating States in initiating or strengthening national action plans developed in the context of UN Security Council resolutions 1325 and 1540. Regional exchanges on good practices and lessons learned from the implementation of such plans can contribute to strengthening commitment in some countries and can support ongoing reform efforts at the national level.
• Regional approaches can strengthen the contribution of SSG/R to wider conflict prevention: Supporting SSG/R initiatives at the regional level can provide a platform for facilitating dialogue and transnational co-operation. This can in turn contribute to confidence-building and to broader conflict prevention among States.