UNDP SEESAC Recognized as a Key Facilitator of SALW Reduction at the SEECP Defence Ministerial Meeting

The South East European Cooperation Process (SEECP) Defence Ministerial meeting, chaired by the Republic of Serbia, took place in Belgrade on 12 April 2012. The theme of the meeting was regional cooperation on the problem of arms surpluses. The SEECP was initiated in 1996 with a view to transforming South-Eastern Europe into a region of stability, safety and cooperation. It brings together 12 countries from the region. On behalf of UNDP SEESAC, William Infante, UNDP Resident Representative in Serbia, addressed the high officials present.

During today's meeting, UNDP SEESAC was mentioned by virtually all participating countries and international organization as a key facilitator in the regional effort to reduce surplus of Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW) and their ammunitions, and secure their safer storage and management. Particular praise came from the European Union, Regional Cooperation Council (RCC), Serbian Delegation, and RACVIAC among others. A joint statement was adopted by all participants that specifically notes UNDP SEESAC’s efforts as invaluable and calls on the European Union and its member states to continue to contribute to SEESAC’s activities.

In particular, the Serbian Minister of Defence, Dragan Sutanovac, repeatedly thanked UNDP SEESAC for the support it is providing Serbia in demilitarizing its surplus ammunition, improving its storage facilities and upgrading its demilitarization facilities through the recently initiated joint MoD/OSCE/UNDP project on Capacity Development Programme for Conventional Ammunition Stockpile Management (CASM).

As the rate of accidents at munitions storage sites globally rose to unprecedented levels in 2011 and with Southeast Europe being recognized as an area of particular concern due to the significant existing surpluses, many of which are well past their storage safe life, SEESAC's work remains relevant and timely. What became clear today, is that this relevance is well recognized by the governments of SEE which endorsed the work performed in the last decade and expressed their commitment to our continuing efforts to reduce the threat posed by SALW and their ammunition.