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. 

A detailed agenda will be available shortly. The Conference will open on Monday, 5 October at 10:30 and close on Thursday, 15 October at 16:45. Plenary sessions are scheduled as follows.

First week

Monday, 5 October
Humanitarian Issues I, incl. International Human Rights Law and International Humanitarian Law

Tuesday, 6 October
Rule of Law I, incl. torture prevention, capital punishment, protection of human rights when combating terrorism 

Wednesday, 7 October
Fundamental Freedoms I, incl. freedom to peaceful assembly and association, Human Rights Defenders, National Human Rights Institutions, freedom of thought, conscience, religion or belief  

Thursday, 8 October
Tolerance and Non-discrimination I, incl. racism, xenophobia, discrimination, anti-Semitism, intolerance and discrimination against Christians, Muslims and others 

Friday, 9 October
Rule of Law II, incl. independence of judiciary, right to fair trial, democratic lawmaking 

Second Week

Monday, 12 October
Democratic Institutions, incl. democratic elections 

Tuesday, 13 October
Fundamental Freedoms II, incl. freedom of expression and freedom of the media

Wednesday, 14 October
Tolerance and Non-discrimination II, incl. national minorities, Roma and Sinti

Thursday, 15 October
Gender Equality; and Humanitarian Issues II, incl. combating trafficking in human beings, refugees and displaced persons

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.

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.

Information on media accreditation will be made available on this website at a later point.

Participants may 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 should be aligned with the topics of the respective plenary session held on the same day.

The booking of side events will open on Thursday, September 3 at 13:00 CET at https://meetings.odihr.pl/ and will remain open until all slots have been booked, but not later than Friday, September 4 at 17:00 CET.

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.