The OSCE Mission to Georgia has been supporting the United Nations-led efforts towards a comprehensive settlement of the Georgian-Abkhaz conflict. Since 1994, the Mission has liaised with the UN operations in Abkhazia to follow events closely. It has been reporting regularly to the OSCE and its participating States, with a view of facilitating the Organization's participation in negotiations carried out under UN auspices.

Co-ordinating Council

In 2006, the UN-led peace process saw the resumption of the work of the Co-ordinating Council of the Georgian and Abkhaz sides and two of its working groups. These were set up by the sides to address security issues, the return of internally displaced persons and refugees, and social and economic issues. In this context, the Mission participated in the Co-ordinating Council.

Human rights

The Mission has been tasked among other things to promote the respect of human rights and fundamental freedoms and to assist in the development of democratic processes.

The UN Human Rights Office Abkhazia, Georgia (HROAG), was established in 1996 to protect and promote human rights there. Since then, the Mission has been contributing one of its seconded Human Rights Officers, who has been involved in HROAG's work and also responsible for a portfolio of human rights projects developed and funded by the Mission.

The Mission developed a series of human rights projects related to Abkhazia including building the capacity of non-governmental organizations, human rights information and awareness-raising activities for children, a needs assessment on media freedom and an exchange for journalists over the conflict divide.

The Mission promoted human rights education for 3,000 children in schools in the district of Ochamchire, using Council of Europe materials. It engaged a local commercial TV station in Sukhumi to produce local human rights awareness programmes on different themes. The Mission also provided training and grants to civil society organizations in the Gali district to improve their management skills and professionalism.