Prague, 15 October 2026 – Ambassador of the Republic of Kazakhstan to the Czech Republic Kairat Abdrakhmanov visited the OSCE Documentation Centre in Prague and met with its Head, Halka Kaiserova.
The Documentation Centre serves as the principal repository of the historical archives of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) and its predecessor, the Conference on Security and Co-operation in Europe (CSCE). It preserves, organizes and facilitates access to documents dating back to the 1970s. Its archival holdings include materials from international conferences, political documents and other records reflecting key stages in the establishment and development of the OSCE. In addition, with the support of the Czech Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Centre facilitates the organization of OSCE events in Prague. Most recently, Prague successfully hosted the Organization’s annual Economic and Environmental Forum.
During the visit, the Ambassador was briefed on the Centre’s activities and highly commended its practical contribution to preserving, organizing and providing access to the documentary heritage of the world’s largest regional security organization. The Centre plays a particularly important role in safeguarding the OSCE’s institutional memory, studying the history of multilateral diplomacy and promoting international cooperation. Its archival holdings are of considerable historical and scholarly value, offering deeper insights into the processes that have shaped the European and Eurasian security architecture.
Both sides underscored the importance of preserving the OSCE’s archival heritage as a foundation for reflecting on the Organization’s historical experience, strengthening mutual understanding and further advancing dialogue on security and cooperation. The favourable conditions provided by the Centre for researchers from different countries were also positively noted. The parties highlighted the Centre’s considerable potential as a venue for informal consultations on current issues on the agendas of the OSCE Secretariat and its autonomous institutions.
Particular attention was drawn to the fact that access to historical documents helps preserve continuity in diplomatic practice and pass accumulated knowledge on to future generations, underscoring the need to ensure adequate funding for the Centre’s activities.
The documentary legacy of Kazakhstan’s 2010 OSCE Chairpersonship is of particular interest to researchers. That year was marked by a historic milestone: the OSCE Summit in Astana, the only summit held by the Organization so far this century, at which the leaders of participating States adopted the Astana Declaration.
The cordial meeting also featured an engaging exchange of views on the development of multilateral diplomacy, confidence-building, the promotion of international dialogue and the role of the OSCE in these processes. The Ambassador wished the Documentation Centre’s staff continued success in their important work.
