Regional Steering Group reviews progress on SALW control and sets priorities for 2026
The Regional Steering Group (RSG) on Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW) convened online on 5 March 2026, bringing together representatives of governments, international organizations and donors to review progress in arms control efforts across Southeast and East Europe and to set priorities for the period ahead.
The meeting was opened by representatives of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and the European Union, who highlighted the importance of sustained regional cooperation in addressing firearms-related threats and advancing security across the region.
Addressing participants, RCC Secretary General Amer Kapetanović emphasized the enduring relevance of the regional platform for cooperation on SALW control. “The fact that this platform [SEESAC] is still successful tells us two important things – the persistence of the challenge and our collective readiness to face it,” Kapetanović said, noting that the initiative has continued to demonstrate its value even as “many multilateral formats are under question.”
He underlined that the Western Balkans Roadmap for SALW control has become “globally recognized as a best practice in the regional approach to arms control”.
Representing UNDP, Assistant Administrator and Director of the Regional Bureau for Europe and the Commonwealth of Independent States commended the progress achieved through sustained regional cooperation and institutional commitment. “The progress achieved over the past years is not accidental. It reflects sustained political will, professional dedication of all our institutions and strong regional cooperation,” Živković said.
She highlighted the importance of international support for these efforts, noting that the European Union has allocated €10.5 million for the continuation of SEESAC’s work until 2029, enabling the programme to continue supporting authorities in the Western Balkans, the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine.
Reflecting on SEESAC’s results in 2025, she pointed to tangible achievements across the region: “In the past year, SEESAC supported the destruction of more than 4,100 small arms and light weapons, facilitated 11 regional processes, engaged with 18 women’s organizations, published more than 10 knowledge products and delivered over two million dollars in specialized equipment.”
“These are not abstract achievements,” she added. “They directly contribute to citizens’ safety.”
In a video address, EU Special Envoy for Non-Proliferation and Disarmament Stephan Klement reaffirmed the European Union’s continued support to the regional approach.
“For the EU, the regional approach to small arms and light weapons control through SEESAC for over two decades has grown into a flagship initiative – one that does not bring change only to this region, but Europe as a whole,” Klement said.
He highlighted the significant impact of the Western Balkans SALW Control Roadmap, which has strengthened regional cooperation, enhanced operational capacities and contributed to the destruction and surrender of hundreds of thousands of firearms across the region.
During the meeting, SEESAC presented an overview of its activities and results in 2025 as well as planned priorities for 2026, followed by updates from national SALW focal points on progress in SALW control across Southeast Europe, who reiterated the importance of maintaining momentum toward the objectives of the Western Balkans SALW Control Roadmap 2025–2030, strengthening cross-border cooperation, enhancing institutional capacities and ensuring the sustainability of results achieved so far. The meeting also provided an opportunity for international and regional organizations and donors to share updates on their ongoing support and coordination efforts.
About the Regional Steering Group on SALW
The RSG continues to serve as a key platform for dialogue and coordination among governments, regional organizations and international partners, supporting the implementation of the Regional Implementation Plan on Combating Proliferation of Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW).