Our work
The Centre addresses a wide range of security and governance issues, including arms control; confidence- and security-building measures and border management; countering terrorism, arms and drug trafficking; sustainable economic and environmental development; good governance; economic connectivity; energy security and climate change; human rights; the rule of law; elections; human trafficking and gender-based violence; and media freedom and development.
Arms control and conflict prevention
Improving the security and safety of small arms and light weapons and conventional ammunition stockpiles
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 such issues as how to implement the 2011 Vienna Document provisions on reciprocal verification visits, information exchange and defence planning.
As part of its conflict prevention activities, the Centre organizes regular courses on preventive diplomacy instruments and inclusive security for young diplomats.
Dr. Sami Faltas from the Netherlands and students discuss a simulation exercise on multilateral negotiation during an OSCE-organized workshop on effective negotiation, Ashgabat, 30 November 2023/OSCE.
Border management
Strengthening border service capacities in Turkmenistan
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 cross-border trade. 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.
Training for canine officers organized as part of the Centre’s extrabudgetary project “Strengthening Border Service Capacities in Turkmenistan", Ashgabat, August 2018.
Countering terrorism
Addressing existing and evolving transnational threats
The Centre holds a constant dialogue with Turkmenistan’s 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 the question of foreign terrorist fighters. The Centre supports comprehensive national efforts to counter drug trafficking and cybercrime.
As part of its project aimed at Countering Transnational Threats Related to Organized Crime and Terrorism, the Centre organized a training course on interpretation of x-ray images for customs and transport police officers at aviation checkpoints, Ashgabat, August 2019.
Economic activities
Supporting Turkmenistan's efforts towards further economic development
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.
Economy.
Environmental activities
Raising awareness and building capacities to address environmental issues
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.
Energy efficiency and energy security
The Centre works closely with Turkmenistan on energy security and energy resource management. It focuses on enhancing the capacities of national stakeholders to further develop and implement relevant policies and programmes on alternative energy sources and efficient electricity grids in line with best international practices. The Centre partners with the Turkmen State Energy Institute in Mary and other national stakeholders to implement projects in the area of alternative energy and support the development of the national road map on renewables.
In 2020, the Centre of Energy Saving Technologies (CEST) was inaugurated on the premises of the Institute. Equipped with modern technical tools, the CEST serves as a research and knowledge-sharing platform on energy security and energy-efficiency issues for the Institute’s teaching staff, students and other national stakeholders, as well as the general public.
The Centre also organizes training to increase local capacity to protect energy infrastructure from natural hazards and promote energy security.
Delegation from Turkmenistan visits AIRMO, a company dealing with methane emission monitoring, Berlin, Germany, 27 May 2025/OSCE
Good governance
Assisting with the fight against corruption, money laundering and terrorist financing
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.
The OSCE assists OSCE participating States in fighting corruption and in building democratic, accountable state institutions.
Elections
Assisting the country with the holding of democratic 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.
Every OSCE participating State has committed to holding democratic elections as the basis for legitimate government.
Human rights
Familiarizing local stakeholders with international human rights standards and OSCE commitments in this area
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.
In the Copenhagen Document of 1990, the OSCE's participating States undertook a commitment to respect all human rights.
Media freedom and development
Providing assistance in the modernization of Turkmenistan’s media legislation
The Centre's main activities in this field are the reform of journalism education and giving assistance for the modernization of Turkmenistan's media legislation. 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.
Rule of law
Training representatives of the parliament and other law-making institutions on legislative techniques
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.
Respect for the rule of law is essential to ensure human dignity.
Combating human trafficking
Combating trafficking in human beings through collaboration, partnership and anti-trafficking standards
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 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.
Human trafficking affects all OSCE participating States
Gender equality
Promoting gender equality and mainstreaming
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.
Gender equality.
OSCE in action
The Organization’s work and teams in related fields
The OSCE’s work is based on a comprehensive security concept, encompassing 23 fields of work. Learn more about the Organization’s activities and teams working in fields relevant to the Centre in Ashgabat.
Countering terrorism
Economic activities
Environmental activities
Policing
Contact
