UNDP SEESAC Attends the SEDM Deputy Chiefs of Defence (DCHODs) Annual Meeting

The South-Eastern Europe Defence Ministerial (SEDM) held its annual meeting of Deputy Chiefs of Defence (DCHODs) 26 - 28 June 2012 in Sofia, Bulgaria. The meeting was co-organized by the SEDM Chair (Italy) and the Ministry of Defence of Bulgaria. Deputy Chiefs of Staff of the SEDM Nations were joined by representatives of international organizations, the SEEBRIG HQ as well as representatives of Ukraine and Georgia. SEESAC was represented by Dr. Ivan Zverzhanovski, Team Leader a.i. and Ms.Tamara Svircev, Programme Associate.

In the last 10 years UNDP SEESAC has worked closely with the Ministries of Defence (MoD) in the Western Balkans on improving the control and management of small arms and light weapons. Furthermore, as of 2012, UNDP SEESAC supports the MoD's in their efforts to advance gender equality in the armed forces through a project entitled Support for Gender Mainstreaming in Security Sector Reform in the Western Balkans, which complements the SEDM Female Leadership in Security and Defence project.

During his brief intervention, Dr. Zverzhanovski stressed the importance of SEDM as the backbone of defence and security cooperation and confidence building in SEE. He expressed his belief that the potential of the SEDM process is immense and that its quest for closer cooperation with international and regional organizations will lead to increased impact on the ground. He further stressed the potential for synergies between the SEESAC projects and SEDM initiatives.