OSCE Secretary General’s presentation of the 2026 Programme Outline UK statement

Thank you, Secretary General, for your presentation this afternoon. Let me also thank the Fund Managers and teams responsible for developing the 2026 Programme Outline, which clearly sets out both the challenges facing the OSCE and the continued importance of this organisation’s work.

The United Kingdom is fully aware that the wider context for the OSCE’s work in 2026 will remain extremely challenging. A foremost priority of the organisation must be to continue to support Ukraine and to address the impacts of Russia’s war of aggression, which has violated the fundamental principles of both the OSCE and the United Nations.  When Russia finally agrees to stop the fighting, we must be ready to pivot and contribute to Ukraine’s sustainable recovery and a just and lasting peace in Ukraine and across the region.

In this context the UK appreciates that agreeing a Unified Budget for 2026 will not be an easy task. We deeply regret that participating States have been unable to agree a budget for this organisation since 2021, and we recognise that an extended period without a Unified Budget or Post Table has impacted the organisation’s ability to respond flexibly to emerging requirements. We sincerely appreciate the efforts of all OSCE staff and structures in delivering against their mandates under the most difficult of circumstances. It is vital that we – as participating States – engage constructively to find solutions to ensure the OSCE is adequately resourced and able to function effectively.

Secretary General, we will provide further comments on the detail of the Programme Outline during the PrepComm sessions and through future discussions on the 2026 Unified Budget Proposal. But I would like to reiterate the UK’s fundamental position that we support all parts of this organisation being adequately funded, and we are ready to engage constructively with proposals which would put the OSCE on a more sustainable financial footing which takes account of global financial realities. As set out in the Programme Outline summary, it is important that the organisation’s core activity can be delivered through the Unified Budget to ensure sustainability and predictability.

Mr Chair, I would like to reiterate that the UK will remain strongly committed to supporting a positive outcome on OSCE finances. I encourage all colleagues to see the bigger picture at a difficult time for the organisation. I wish Switzerland well in developing the incoming Chair’s perception paper, and thank Finland for guiding participating States through the process this year. We strongly encourage all participating States to work constructively towards the agreement of both a 2025 and 2026 Unified Budget.

Thank you, Mr Chair.