Regional Workshop in Sarajevo Strengthens Cooperation on Weapons and Ammunition Management
Safer storage, stronger oversight and regional cooperation on weapons and ammunition management were at the center of discussions in Sarajevo, where representatives of institutions and technical experts from across Southeast Europe gathered for a regional workshop organized by UNDP SEESAC with the support of the EU.
The workshop took stock of progress in physical security and stockpile management (PSSM) of weapons and ammunition, reflecting a shared understanding that effective stockpile management is not only a technical matter, but also an important part of broader security related commitments and cooperation.
Representatives of jurisdictions from the region shared and discussed developments related to the improvement of security and safety of weapons and ammunition storage facilities, surplus disposal, ammunition surveillance capacities, inventory management and record‑keeping practices. The meeting highlighted the importance of keeping regional practice aligned with international standards and responding to emerging technological challenges. Participants were briefed about developments linked to the ongoing revision of the International Ammunition Technical Guidelines, the emergency protocols for the transport and storage of ammunition and explosives, and discussed how wider armament trends may shape future approaches to weapons and ammunition management.
The workshop kept a strong practical focus on emerging technologies in weapons and ammunition management. Additionally, key findings and recommendations from the review of the first phase of the Western Balkans SALW Control Roadmap and regional trends in armed violence with a focus on lost and stolen firearms were presented. SEESAC also provided an update on its ongoing efforts to support strengthening of PSSM capacities in Southeast Europe.
The workshop programme also included a site visit to the TROM Doboj ammunition testing facility organized in cooperation with the Ministry of Defence of Bosnia and Herzegovina, where participants visited the Workshop for the Maintenance and Destruction of Ammunition and observed the work of the Laboratory for Chemical and Thermal Analysis of Ammunition.
These activities were made possible with funding provided through the EU Council Decision (CFSP) 2024/3006 in support of SEESAC disarmament and arms control activities in South Europe, thereby reducing the threat posed by illicit small arms, light weapons, and their ammunition, and the Council Decision (CFSP) 2025/2587 in support of SEESAC for the implementation of the Regional Roadmap on combating illicit arms trafficking in the Western Balkans and in support of disarmament and arms control activities in South-East and East Europe.