Following successes of the similar programs in Europe (Vienna and Geneva notably), one of the leading African think-tanks along with its European (think-tank, academia, cultural diplomacy, and media) partners decided to launch the special executive program for future leaders on its own.

As a part of the notable series (within the Institute’s Certified Economic Diplomat Program) concepted and conducted by prof. Anis H. Bajrektarevic, the former Secretary-General of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), Ambassador Lamberto Zannier gave a highly informative and content intensive lecture for the IEF participants and invited guests. 

During his lecture, Ambassador Zannier gave a comprehensive analysis of the current security challenges in Europe, Africa and the world, including the crisis of multilateralism and its possible future prospects.

Ambassador Zannier is a distinguished OSCE Parliamentary Assembly’s Expert, a career diplomat with top-level experience in the Italian Foreign Service and in International Organizations, namely of the UN specialized agencies, mainly specializing in conflict prevention, human dimension and security affairs.  Prior to this post, His Excellency Ambassador served as the OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities (2017 – 2020), OSCE Secretary General – in two terms (2011 – 2017), UN Special Representative for Kosovo with the rank of UN Under-Secretary-General (2008 – 2011), Director of the OSCE Conflict Prevention Centre (2002 – 2006).

Excellency Zannier’s exceptional career also includes previously serving as the Representative of Italy to the Executive Council of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) in The Hague (2002 -2000), Chairperson of the negotiations on the adaptation of the Treaty on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe (1999 -1998), and Head of Disarmament, Arms Control, and Cooperative Security at NATO (1997 -1991). Prior to these senior positions, he served in Rome, Abu Dhabi, and Vienna, dealing with economic affairs, development, disarmament, and security. From 1976 to 1977, he worked at the Legal Office of the UN Specialised Agency, Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in Rome on issues related to international river basins and the shared use of internal waters.

Ambassador Zannier has been a member of the Board of Trustees of the OSCE Academy in Bishkek, the Advisory Board of the Geneva Centre for the Democratic Control of Armed Forces (DCAF), IFIMES Board and the EU ISS Board of Directors. Ambassador holds a law degree and an honorary degree in International and Diplomatic Sciences from the University of Trieste, Italy. His Excellency has authored a number of publications on security, conflict prevention and crisis management issues.

Presenting the developmental phases of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), which is the world’s largest regional security-oriented intergovernmental organization with observer status at the United Nations, H.E. Lamberto Zannier elaborated on its unique setting and mandate (so-called 3 dimensions’ organisation). Its scope includes issues such as arms control, economy and environment, promotion of human rights, freedom of press, free and fair elections.

The Organization has its roots in the 1973 Conference on Security and Co-operation in Europe (CSCE) (having the Paris peace talks and detente attempts during the so-called Geneva talks earlier). The CSCE opened in Helsinki on 3 July 1973 with 35 European states (plus Canada and the US) sending representatives. The Stage I, took five days to agree to follow the Blue Book. Stage II was the main working phase and was conducted in Geneva from 18 September 1973 until 21 July 1975.

The result of Stage II was the Helsinki Final Act, which was signed by the 35 participating states during Stage III in Finlandia Hall (30 July – 1 August 1975). Helsinki Final Act (or referred in literature as the Helsinki Decalogue) gave impetus to what soon will be known as the three-dimensional or three-basket organisation plus mutual recognition of borders which was the historically unprecedented politico-military breakthrough of the lasting cross-continental impact. 

The concepts of improving relations and implementing the act were developed over a series of follow-up meetings, with major gatherings in Belgrade (4 October 1977 – 8 March 1978), Madrid (11 November 1980 – 9 September 1983) and Vienna (4 November 1986 – 19 January 1989). The Moscow Mechanism was agreed in 1991. (See https://www.osce.org/odihr/20066).

Relating to the further development of the OSCE, the abrupt and unexpected dissolution of three Slavic multinational and multiconfesional states in Easter Europe (Soviet Union, Yugoslavia and Czechoslovakia) necessitated rapid adjustments for the CSCE. The Charter of Paris for a New Europe, signed on 21 November 1990, marked the beginning of this change. The process was capped by the renaming of the CSCE as the OSCE on 1 January 1995, in accordance with the results of a conference held in Budapest in 1994. The OSCE now had a formal secretariat, budgetary profile, a Senior Council, a Parliamentary Assembly, a Conflict Prevention Centre, and an Office for Free Elections, which later became the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (see https://www.osce.org/whatistheosce).

Further into his content-intensive talk, Excellency Zannier elaborated on his experiences as the former OSCE Secretary General (second largest security mechanism right after the OUN), particularly encapsulating on multilateralism, conflict prevention, and crisis management - geopolitical situation, security architecture and global crisis management (with the regional, African peculiarities and specificities). Prevailing cultures, passions, drives and interests in international politico-military and socio-economic arena have been also thoroughly examined. Unavoidably, Ambassador generously and enthusiastically shared his views on the ongoing crisis in Easter Europe, Middle East, climate change, and food security, as well as on other issues that represent serious challenge for our contemporary multilateralism in Africa and beyond.

Complimentarily, he discussed the role of the OSCE in promoting regional security and stability, as well as its efforts to address emerging threats such as cybercrime and terrorism. This highly anticipated lecture was filled with vivid exchanges of views and opinions, inspiring reflection, and a farsighted yet amicable atmosphere, with direct, personal access to the notable guest.

Excellency Zannier, a polyglot; wise, open and extremely interesting conversationalist, describing the currents of multilateral diplomacy foresightedly pointed on the importance of multilateral endeavours and obstacles encountered in vast international milieu: “All the current trends do have significant implications for efforts of the international community to prevent, manage and resolve current and future armed conflicts. Multilateral institutions like the UN, African Union or the OSCE struggle to keep up with the latest developments in modern warfare and address adequately crisis and conflict situations erupting around the globe. Challenging and complex (multilayer) conditions in many conflict regions, often marked by a very volatile and unstable security environment, make it extremely difficult for multilateral actors to adapt to a rapidly evolving situation on the ground. Despite repeated calls to invest in prevention, the international community is too often engaging too (little resources and diplomatic top-profiles, and too) late in crisis management and its early prevention. No wonder we are witnessing the escalatory trends at ever more spots on the globe.”

As the event draw to a close, Excellency Ambassador and his host, prof. Anis jointly encapsulated what all participants had already concluded throughout the day: that the CED Executive Program offers a unique setting. The lecture was an enlightening and engaging experience for all who participated. It left a lasting impression on the attendees and imprinted a high standard stamp for the Program's forthcoming rounds.

Yagmur Ceylan Korkut Hassan is author is Madinah Group Istanbul Turkey Office Managing Partner and Chief Executive Officer. She was attached to the office of European Union Youth and Education