What do sporting events, concerts, festivals and other cultural activities have in common? All require complex security planning to ensure event-goers can focus on enjoying themselves. Building that security planning framework was at the centre of a workshop held in Bishkek, the Kyrgyz Republic from 21 to 23 April 2026.
The event brought together 50 Kyrgyz government officials and private sector practitioners to discuss the security planning process for public events, with a focus on addressing security threats such as terrorist attacks and with an eye on the upcoming World Nomad Games, to be hosted in the Kyrgyz Republic later in 2026. It was organized by the Anti-Terrorism Centre of the State Committee for National Security of the Kyrgyz Republic, the OSCE Programme Office in Bishkek and the OSCE Transnational Threats Department's Action against Terrorism Unit.
"We all understand that ensuring security during mass gatherings requires careful planning, interagency co-ordination and readiness to effectively respond to potential risks and threats. At the same time, maintaining a balance between ensuring security and protecting citizens' fundamental freedoms must remain a key guideline in this work," highlighted Ambassador Volker Frobarth, Head of the OSCE Programme Office in Bishkek.
Participants examined key aspects of pre-event security planning, including assessing site-specific threats, co-ordinating between agencies, defining roles and responsibilities among stakeholders, managing traffic, designing communications strategies and integrating human rights considerations. The workshop combined expert presentations with a scenario-based tabletop exercise simulating preparations for a major public event. This practical component allowed participants to discuss existing procedures, identify gaps and strengthen co-ordination in addressing complex security challenges.
"Ensuring the safety of citizens during the planning and holding of mass events is a national security priority. The workshop allowed us to combine national experience with recommendations from international experts, which will subsequently allow us to develop more effective approaches to planning such events," noted Adilet Murataliev, Deputy Director of the Anti-Terrorist Centre of the State Committee for National Security of the Kyrgyz Republic.
The event built on ongoing national efforts to develop a framework for public event security planning in the Kyrgyz Republic. At the workshop, national participants reviewed and discussed elements of a draft regulation on ensuring public order and security during the preparation and conduct of public events.
Bringing international perspectives, the workshop featured contributions from experts from the Ministry of the Interior of France and the International Centre for Sport Security, who shared insights on global practices and lessons learned from major international events, such as Paris Olympics 2024 and the FIFA World Cup 2022 in Qatar.
The event was organized within the framework of OSCE Programme Office in Bishkek unified budget project "Providing Support for Enhancing Cybersecurity, Countering Terrorism and Preventing VERLT" and OSCE Transnational Threats Department's extrabudgetary Project PROTECT which supports participating States in strengthening national approaches to protecting vulnerable targets from terrorist threats and other hazards, while ensuring respect for human rights. Under Project PROTECT, this activity was funded by Germany.
