Roundtable "Regional Approaches to Combating the Illicit Proliferation of SALW – Examples from SEE" on 25 March 2015 at UNDP Brussels
The proliferation of small arms and light weapons represents a grave threat to global security. The unchecked spread of these weapons exacerbates conflicts, contributes to human rights violations, undermines political and economic development, destabilizes communities, and devastates the lives of millions of people. The proliferation of small arms and light weapons (SALW) is therefore a global issue posing a threat to security and undermining sustainable development efforts. Circulation of SALW is often a catalyst that transforms local incidents into global events and Europe is no exception. The EU Strategy to combat the illicit accumulation and trafficking of small arms and light weapons (SALW) and their ammunition, identifies South-East Europe as regions particularly affected by the excessive accumulation and spread of SALW and a source of proliferation. While the early concern was with proliferation towards conflict areas, and in particular towards Africa, the focus has increasingly moved towards the trafficking of firearms towards the EU.
As an area of particular concern due to its proximity and possible source of illicit weapons, South East Europe has been in the focus of EU policy makers for some time. However, it is also a region that has developed and implemented innovative solutions for tackling the problem and most clearly demonstrated the value of a regional approach, based on the identification of a common problem and solutions based on information sharing, knowledge transfers and harmonization of approaches. The roundtable will provide an overview of current efforts to tackle the threat posed by illicit proliferation of SALW, highlighting the regional approach taken by SEE states with the support of UNDP’s SEESAC initiative and will link these to the wider EU approach.
SPEAKERS
Ms. Vesna Batistić Kos, PhD, Assistant Minister, Directorate General for Multilateral Affairs and Global Issues, Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs of the Republic of Croatia
Mr. Mikael Roudaut, Firearms Task Force, DG Home, European Commission
Mr. Panu Toiviainen, Organised Crime Networks, Firearms, EUROPOL
Ms. Carolin Thielking, Division for WMD, Conventional Weapons and Space, European External Action Service
Dr. Ivan Zverzhanovski, PhD, SEESAC Coordinator, UNDP
Chair: Mr. Rastislav Vrbensky, Manager of the UNDP Regional Hub for Europe and the CIS
About SEESAC
SEESAC, a joint initiative of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC), works to strengthen the capacities of national and regional stakeholders to control and reduce the proliferation and misuse of small arms and light weapons, and thus contribute to enhanced stability, security and development in South Eastern and Eastern Europe.
The flagship EU Support of SEESAC Disarmament and Arms Control Activities in South East Europe Project – EUSAC, under Council Decision 2013/730/CFSP, is designed and implemented in close cooperation with national authorities through regional cooperation, works on five interrelated activities: increased security of stockpiles through infrastructure improvements and capacity development; stockpile reduction through SALW and ammunition destruction; improved marking, tracing and registration of SALW; improved regional cooperation on awareness raising, information sharing and knowledge transfer and implementation of collection and awareness raising campaigns.