The overall objective of this Decision is the promotion of peace and security in the neighbourhood of the Union, by reducing the threat posed by the illicit trade in and excessive accumulation of SALW in the OSCE region. This Decision also aims at promoting effective multilateralism at regional level by supporting the action of the OSCE to prevent the excessive accumulation of, and the illicit trade in, SALW and their ammunition. Such activities include the destruction of SALW surpluses in the OSCE region, improvement of security and management of weapons stockpiles, development of appropriate tools for record keeping of weapons, and enhancement of conventional arms transfer controls, in particular brokering.
To raise awareness and improve implementation by Participating States of existing international and regional commitments in the field of SALW brokering controls;
To analyse best practices and lessons learnt from other countries/regions and identify their applicability to participants’ needs.
Organisation by the OSCE Secretariat of a three-day regional workshop for relevant state officials from up to 15 Participating States.
Representatives of relevant international and regional organisations, and other experts, including experts from the Union, will participate in the event. Up to 70 participants will attend the event. The detailed concept paper and agenda of the event will be developed by the OSCE Secretariat, in coordination with the HR and relevant Council bodies.
Improved brokering controls on SALW in Participating States invited to participate in the workshop;
Reduced risks of illegal brokering activities and illegal trade in SALW, and consequently improved security for populations, groups and individuals adversely affected by the illegal trade in SALW.
The OSCE Secretariat will propose potential venues for the regional seminar, which will then be endorsed by the HR, in consultation with the competent Council bodies.
State officials and national authorities of Participating States responsible for SALW transfer controls;
Populations, groups and individuals adversely affected by the illegal trade in SALW.
To improve security and stockpile management in up to two SALW storage sites in Belarus, and up to three SALW storage sites in Kyrgyzstan;
To contribute to improved security in Central Asia and Eastern Europe, and to reduce the risk of illicit trade in SALW.
Upgrading of security systems in up to two SALW storage sites in Belarus, in accordance with OSCE Best Practices on SALW, including through the installation and/or refurbishment of necessary electrical installations, primary fire-fighting capability, perimeter fencing and lighting, intruder detection and alarm systems, as well as telecommunications equipment for enhanced security;
Improvement and/or establishment of up to three SALW storage sites in Kyrgyzstan, in accordance with OSCE Best Practices on SALW, including through installation and/or refurbishment of perimeter fencing and lightning, secure storage building doors and windows, intruder alarm systems, close circuit television cameras (CCTV) and telecommunications equipment.
The OSCE Secretariat and the UNDP Belarus Office will identify in cooperation with relevant Belarusian and Kyrgyz authorities the storage sites in need of security upgrades and will define the exact sites to be upgraded with the support of this Decision, in consultation with the HR and competent Council bodies. All activities except those related to upgrades of SALW storage sites in Belarus will be implemented by the OSCE Secretariat. In Belarus, the activities will be implemented by the UNDP Belarus Office because the OSCE does not have an appropriate representation and legal status in Belarus and also because the implementation of this part of the project by the UNDP Belarus Office is more cost-effective in comparison to a Vienna-based project management by the OSCE. The role of the OSCE in the overall project coordination and implementation oversight related to the selection of storage sites and safety and security measures to be implemented, annual work plans, quality control of completed works and the national contribution of the government of Belarus will remain. The Governments of Belarus and Kyrgyzstan will provide support to the project through financial contribution and/or in-kind contribution, as appropriate.
Improved physical security and stockpile management of up to two SALW storage sites in Belarus, and up to three SALW storage sites in Kyrgyzstan;
Reduction of the risk of illicit trade in SALW and conventional arms, and improvement of security in Eastern Europe and Central Asia.
Ministries of Defence in Belarus and Kyrgyzstan;
Populations, groups and individuals adversely affected by the illegal trade in SALW.
To reduce the risk of illicit trade in SALW by destroying surplus weapons in the possession of relevant national authorities in Belarus and Kyrgyzstan.
Destruction of up to 12 000 surplus pieces of SALW in Belarus;
Destruction of up to 2 000 surplus pieces of SALW and up to 51 Man-portable air-defence systems (MANPADS) in Kyrgyzstan.
The Governments of Belarus and Kyrgyzstan will provide support to the project through provision of facilities and equipment, and in-kind contribution, as appropriate. All activities except those related to upgrades of SALW storage sites in Belarus will be implemented by the OSCE Secretariat.
In Belarus, the activities related to upgrades of SALW storage sites will be implemented by the UNDP Belarus Office because the OSCE does not have an appropriate representation and legal status in Belarus and also because the implementation of this part of the project by the UNDP Office Belarus is more cost-effective in comparison to a Vienna-based project management by the OSCE. The role of the OSCE in the overall project coordination and implementation oversight related to the selection of storage sites and safety and security measures to be implemented, annual work plans, quality control of completed works and the national contribution of the government of Belarus will remain.
Destruction of parts of SALW and MANPADS surpluses in Belarus and Kyrgyzstan;
Reduction of the risk of illicit trade in SALW and improvement of security in Eastern Europe and Central Asia.
Ministries of Defence in Belarus and Kyrgyzstan;
Populations, groups and individuals adversely affected by the illegal trade in SALW.
To improve SALW and conventional ammunition stockpile management and record keeping in up to eight Participating States, thus reducing the risk of illicit trade in SALW and conventional ammunition.
Presentation of the SALW inventory application to interested Participating States for up to 20 people;
Expert meetings in up to eight Participating States to evaluate the compatibility of the SALW inventory application to national requirements and follow-up with regard to national procedures and legislation;
Technical adjustments to the SALW inventory application in up to eight Participating States to provide for compatibility with agreed technical requirements, in cooperation with the UNDP Belarus Office and the Ministry of Defence of Belarus;
Translation of the SALW inventory application in up to three state languages (in total) as required in the Participating States introducing the SALW inventory application;
Limited provision of hardware to up to eight Participating States, where necessary;
Installation of the electronic record-keeping system in up to eight Participating States;
Developing of a training curriculum for up to eight Participating States (two modules — for staff at military headquarters in the capitals of the selected Participating States, and staff at storage sites);
Conducting training in up to eight Participating States according to the training curriculum above.
Improvement and standardisation of SALW and conventional ammunition stockpile management and record keeping in up to eight Participating States;
Reduction of the risk of illicit trade in SALW and conventional ammunition in the OSCE region.
Ministries of Defence of up to eight Participating States;
Populations, groups and individuals adversely affected by the illegal trade in SALW.
The OSCE Secretariat will identify in consultation with the HR and competent Council bodies the Participating States which will benefit from the project.
The total estimated duration of the projects will be 36 months.
The technical implementation of this Decision will be entrusted to the OSCE Secretariat and the UNDP Belarus Office which will perform its task under the responsibility of the HR.
The OSCE Secretariat and the UNDP Belarus Office will prepare regular reports, as well as reports after the completion of each of the activities described. The reports should be submitted to the HR no later than six weeks after the completion of relevant activities.
The total cost of the projects is EUR 1 680 000.