Practitioners from the Ministry of Interior enhanced their knowledge of physical security and stockpile management of small arms and light weapons and their ammunition

On 27 May 2022, 24 experts from the Ministry of Interior of Serbia (MoI) completed a week-long targeted Proficient Level National Course on Physical Security and Stockpile Management (PSSM) of Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW) and their Ammunition.

The focus of the course was on the presentation of the most current best practices of ammunition life-cycle management, work experience sharing, and discussion by course participants aimed at the improvement of weapons and equipment operators' work and business processes. The course also included a dedicated session on the importance of incorporating gender in SALW control.

The national course on PSSM of SALW and their ammunition was supported by the US Department of State, Bureau of Political-Military Affairs, Office of Weapons Removal and Abatement under the project Enhancement of security and safety of the 'Duvanište' SALW storage location of the Ministry of Interior of the Republic of Serbia in accordance with international standards and best practices, and the European Union, within the framework of the COUNCIL DECISION (CFSP) 2019/2111 of 9 December 2019 in support of SEESAC disarmament and arms control activities in South-East Europe reducing the threat of illicit small arms and light weapons and their ammunition.

The US-funded project promotes a holistic approach to SALW control. The capacity-building activity is complemented with the procurement of basic SALW safekeeping inventory supplies and security and safety upgrade of the MoI SALW storage location Duvanište near Smederevo. The project contributes to combating the illicit accumulation and trafficking of SALW and their ammunition and promoting peace and security. It also supports enhanced community security, including armed violence reduction.

The EU project in support of reducing the threat of illicit small arms and light weapons and their ammunition in South-East Europe contributes to strengthened regional cooperation, knowledge exchange and information‐sharing on SALW control; supports the capacity building of border police and criminal police services of the Western Balkans for countering illicit trafficking and possession of firearms; supports the further enhancement of capacities for PSSM.