SEESAC Promotes Achievements in SALW Control and Gender Equality in Military at 48th SEDM Coordination Meeting

SEESAC took part in the 48th South East Europe Defence Ministerial Coordination (SEDM-CC) Meeting where its representative provided an update on the activities conducted since the South East Europe Defence Ministerial Meeting for supporting the counterparts to strengthen small arms and light weapons control and advance gender equality in the military. The meeting took place in Sofia on 29 March 2023 and gathered representatives of the Member Nations and international/regional organizations (UNDP SEESAC, RACVIAC) to foster dialogue and regional cooperation and exchange information related to common security challenges in the region.

SEESAC also informed the participants about the launch of a unique knowledge tool developed jointly by the Ministries of Defence in the Western Balkans, the Regional Baseline Study on Integrating a Gender Perspective in Military Education and Training, promoted at the 15th regional meeting of Gender Equality Mechanisms in Ministries of Defence and Armed Forces in the Western Balkans.

Furthermore, SEESAC’s representative presented the findings of the mid-term review of the Roadmap on combatting illicit trafficking, possession, and misuse of SALW and their ammunition. Completed at the beginning of this year, the mid-term review confirmed the relevance of the Western Balkans Roadmap for the regional SALW control efforts and strengthening regional cooperation in this area.  

Reaffirming its commitment to jointly work with the SEDM Secretariat and all the forum’s participating Nations, SEESAC highlighted its readiness to continue contributing to regional security, stability, and peace, as well as to the Sustainable Development Goals. The SEDM Chair emphasized the significance of SEESAC’s assistance in contributing to security, stability, and cooperation in South East Europe.