Warsaw Human Dimension Conference

Please check this page regularly for the latest programme and logistical updates.

The 2026 Warsaw Human Dimension Conference will bring together participants from across the 57 OSCE participating States to review the implementation of OSCE human dimension commitments, exchange perspectives, share good practices, and highlight issues that require the attention of the international community.

Plenary sessions and side events will cover the full spectrum of OSCE human dimension commitments, including democratic institutions, the rule of law, tolerance and non-discrimination, fundamental freedoms, humanitarian issues and gender equality. In addition, four dedicated roundtables will provide participants with the opportunity to discuss the work of OSCE institutions and field operations. 

The conference will open on Monday, 5 October at 10:30 and close on Thursday, 15 October at 15:45. Please see the detailed agenda, which includes more information about each of the ten plenary sessions.

Dedicated roundtables will offer insights into the concrete work done by the OSCE on the ground in supporting implementation of human dimension commitments, including by the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), Field Operations, the Representative on Freedom of the Media (RFoM) and the High Commissioner on National Minorities (HCNM). 

The roundtables are held in the format of a moderated panel discussion with invited experts. Participants from OSCE participating States and civil society will have the opportunity to take the floor during the discussion and engage directly with the panelists. This new format will allow for a more in-depth and interactive discussion on the OSCE’s important work in the human dimension.

Participants will organize side events focusing on specific or pressing issues related to the OSCE’s human dimension commitments during the full duration of the conference. The topics of side events will be aligned with the topics of the respective plenary session held on the same day. Each day there will be two or three one-hour side event slots before and following the plenary sessions and roundtable events. On the first conference day, one side event slot will be available following the afternoon plenary session. All side event slots have already been booked.

The conference is open to representatives of OSCE participating States, Partners for Co-operation, OSCE institutions and other executive structures, representatives of inter-governmental organizations, civil society, and other non-governmental stakeholders with relevant experience from the 57 OSCE participating States.

Taking the floor at plenary sessions

To speak during a plenary session, you must sign up in advance.

When do the lists open?

• Session 1: Monday, 5 October at 8:00 CET
• Sessions 2 to 5: 17:15 CET, the working day before the session
• Session 6: Friday, 9 October at 17:15 CET
• Session 7: Monday, 12 October at 8:00 CET
• Sessions 8 to 10: 17:15 CET, the working day before the session

Important

The sign-up list for each thematic session closes 1.5 hours before the session begins or when the list is full. The list of speakers who have signed up to speak will be displayed on the stand in the plenary room 30 minutes before the start of each plenary session. 

No intimidation or retaliation for participating in the SHDM will be tolerated. Any civil society participant facing retaliation or intimidation for engagement in OSCE meetings may email ODIHR at defenders@odihr.pl.

Participation in the event is free of charge. Travel and accommodation costs are borne by the participants. 

Poland’s consular services are facilitating the processing of visa requests from participants requiring a visa to enter Poland for the purpose of attending the conference. Please note that, although visa applications are typically processed within 15 days of submission, processing times may be extended in individual cases. Therefore, applicants are encouraged to apply for their visa as soon as possible after registering for the conference.  For further details please contact the nearest Polish consular office.

The conference will be held in person. Registration closed on 16 September 2026. No entry will be permitted to unregistered individuals.

Registered participants can collect their badges at the conference venue from 8:30 CEST to 18:30 CEST on Monday, 5 October.

On the following days of the conference, accreditation will be open from 8:00 CEST and will remain open until the end of the day’s final side event. 

Participants are advised to arrive well before the plenary sessions start and to bring a valid ID.

The opening, the ten plenary sessions and the closing will be live streamed on the Conference webpage. Please note that participants electing to sign up for the speakers’ list will appear on the live stream feed.

Advance accreditation for press representatives is mandatory. Please register for your press accreditation here.

Press accreditation forms will be accepted until 30 September 2026 at 23:59 CEST. Please bring valid press credentials for registration onsite.

A selection of photos from the Warsaw Human Dimension Conference will be uploaded to the OSCE Flickr account each evening, starting from Monday 5 October. If you use any of them, please credit OSCE/Piotr Dziubak.

For questions about the conference, please contact warsawhdc@osce.org.