MEDIA ADVISORY

Outlook of OSCE, appointments of senior officials the focus of virtual OSCE Ministerial Council this week

TIRANA/VIENNA, 1 December 2020 — At the invitation of the 2020 OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, Prime Minister and Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs of Albania, Edi Rama, OSCE foreign ministers will gather for the 27^th OSCE Ministerial Council (MC) on 3 and 4 December 2020 to discuss major security issues in the region, the present and future course of the OSCE, and the appointments of senior OSCE officials. Due to the restrictions imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic, for the first time, the MC will be held via video teleconferencing (VTC).

With over 40 foreign ministers from across the OSCE region expected to attend, the MC is the highlight of Albania’s 2020 OSCE Chairmanship and will set the course for the OSCE’s work next year, with Sweden taking over as OSCE Chair on 1 January 2021.

Media opportunities

In addition to the Ministerial Council plenary meeting, a number of online events will provide media opportunities.

Chairperson-in-Office Edi Rama and the incoming Chairperson-in-Office, Swedish Minister of Foreign Affairs Ann Linde, will hold a joint press conference online following the official closing of the Ministerial Council (approx. 13:30).

Thematic Side Events

Several events focusing on OSCE-related projects and topics will be open to MC accredited media representatives. These side events will provide a forum for dialogue between civil society, youth, academia, the media and MC delegations.

Practical Information

Advance accreditation of media representatives is mandatory. The deadline for registration is 17:00, 1 December 2020. Accreditation will be granted following self-registration via https://events.osce.org/2020-osce-ministerial-council-press-and-media/registration/Site/Register.

In order to join the Zoom meeting, participants must use the same name that was used for registration. Failure to do so will result in denied access to the Ministerial Council. Links to Zoom meeting sessions, press conferences and OSCE-organized side events open to accredited media will be provided following registration.

MC Plenary sessions, as well as the closing press conference on 4 December will be streamed online at www.osce.org/live.

Follow the Ministerial Council on Twitter at @OSCE, @AlMissionVienna and #OSCEMC20 for up-to-date news and information.

For more information go to: www.osce.org/event/mc_2020.

For briefings and individual interviews, as well as any information on the distribution of press releases, declarations, speeches and other documents, media representatives can e-mail [email protected] or call +43 676 3756 163.

Photographs by the host photographer for use by the media and delegations can be downloaded from https://bit.ly/OSCEMC20photos. Requests may also be sent by email to [email protected].

Contacts: