SEESAC Joins Partners to Support Ukraine in Drafting the National Strategy to Prevent and Combat Illicit Small Arms and Light Weapons

Photo Credits: OSCE

In August 2025, SEESAC provided expert support to the authorities of Ukraine in drafting their first national strategy on Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW), along with a comprehensive action plan to guide its implementation.

The initiative responds to the growing threats posed by the illicit trafficking of firearms, ammunition, and explosives. It aims to strengthen Ukraine’s capacities to prevent and combat these risks in line with international standards and best practices.

On 27–28 August in Kyiv, the OSCE, in partnership with the European Union Advisory Mission and the Government of Ukraine, organized an expert workshop that brought together key national and international stakeholders.

Facilitated discussions outlined the main goals and priorities of the strategy, including enhancing border control, updating national legislation, raising public awareness, improving weapons tracing and stockpile management, and fostering inter-agency coordination.

SEESAC, together with representatives from UNDP in Ukraine, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), EMPACT Firearms, and the Ammunition Management Advisory Team of the Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining (AMAT GICHD), provided technical expertise during the workshop.

Mr. Oleksii Serheiev, Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs of Ukraine, emphasized in his opening speech the importance of the strategy, noting that it will serve as “a unified national approach and a strategic tool to strengthen the safety and security of citizens and communities.”

By sharing its longstanding expertise in SALW control across South-Eastern and Eastern Europe, SEESAC reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Ukraine in advancing arms control, reducing risks, and contributing to regional security. SEESAC’s contribution to the workshop was made possible through the implementation of EU Council Decision 2022/2321 in support of disarmament and arms control activities in South-East and East Europe.