Under the direction of the Secretary General, the Secretariat provides operational support to the Organization. Based in Vienna, it also comprises the OSCE Documentation Centre in Prague.

The Secretariat consists of administrative and programmatic departments and units focused on conflict prevention, economic and environmental activities, co-operation with Partner countries and organizations, gender equality, anti-trafficking, as well as transnational threats, including anti-terrorism, border management and policing reform. They monitor trends, provide expert analysis and implement projects in the field.

The Secretariat assists the OSCE Chairmanship; supports OSCE field activities; maintains contacts with international and non-governmental organizations, and provides conference, language, administrative, financial, personnel and information technology services.