Press releasePublished on 2 November 2026

OSCE Ministerial Council in Lugano: Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis provides update on priorities and preparations

Bern, 02.11.2026 — The 33rd Ministerial Council of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) will take place in Lugano on 3 and 4 December 2026. Delegations are expected from the 57 participating States and the 12 Partners for Co-operation to discuss security issues in the OSCE area. At a joint press conference in Bellinzona, the chairman-in-office of the OSCE Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis provided an update on the progress of preparatory work and the political priorities of the conference alongside representatives of the federal government, the Canton of Ticino and the City of Lugano. Earlier, Ignazio Cassis took part in an event with students from the Università della Svizzera italiana in Lugano, organised in collaboration with the OSCE.

Ignazio Cassis, Head of the FDFA, was in Lugano and Bellinzona on 2 November 2026 as part of the launch of the 33rd OSCE Ministerial Council. At the Università della Svizzera italiana (USI) in Lugano, he discussed with students at an event organised jointly with the OSCE why dialogue is important in a polarised world. “Whatever path you choose, remember that dialogue is not a sign of weakness. It is a sign of responsibility,” declared Mr Cassis.

In Bellinzona, the OSCE chairman-in-office, along with representatives of the federal government, the Canton of Ticino and the City of Lugano, provided an update on the progress of preparatory work and the political priorities of the conference. The present security situation in Europe is marked by geopolitical tensions. In this context, the OSCE has an important role to play. “In an increasingly unstable environment, particularly when differences of opinion run deep, dialogue and diplomacy remain indispensable,” Mr Cassis emphasised in Bellinzona. The OSCE brings together 57 participating States – including Russia, the United States and Ukraine. It is the world’s largest regional security organisation and a platform for political dialogue and cooperation.

The Ministerial Council is the OSCE’s most important decision-making body. The conference in Lugano marks the culmination of the Swiss chairmanship year, which has been wholly dedicated to promoting dialogue and strengthening the OSCE’s capacity to act.

Lugano as international conference venue

Switzerland is hosting the 33rd OSCE Ministerial Council in Lugano as part of its OSCE chairmanship. Responsibility for organising and conducting the conference lies with the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA), while preparations require close cooperation between the federal government, the Canton of Ticino and the City of Lugano. By selecting Lugano as the venue, Switzerland is building on previous high-level meetings held in Ticino, such as the Ukraine Recovery Conference that Lugano also hosted in 2022. The Ministerial Council meeting is intended to further strengthen the city’s profile as an international conference destination and to give Ticino both additional international visibility and an economic boost.

Security during the conference

The Ticino cantonal police force, the Federal Office of Police (fedpol), the Federal Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sport (DDPS) and other relevant authorities are working together closely on security arrangements for the conference. Operational command of the police security operation rests with the Ticino cantonal police, with security measures determined by an ongoing situation assessment. The task is to ensure the safety of participants and to minimise the impact on the general public as far as possible.

The Federal Council has allocated funding of CHF 5.25 million to the FDFA to organise the conference. At the same time, the federal government is covering 80% of the costs of security incurred by the Canton of Ticino in fulfilling the federal government’s security mandate. On 18 September 2026, the Federal Council also approved the provision of civil support services by the Armed Forces to support the Ticino authorities. The Armed Forces offer assistance in particular with facility security, air surveillance and reconnaissance, and transport and logistics. In addition, the Federal Council has authorised temporary restrictions on the use of airspace in the Lugano region.

Accreditation for media representatives

Members of the media must hold accreditation to attend the OSCE Ministerial Council. The accreditation phase will begin on 2 November 2026. More detailed information for members of the media is available in the Media Corner for the conference and will be updated on an ongoing basis.

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