At the “Pobjeda” foundry near Travnik, 1,639 pieces of small arms and light weapons were destroyed today, along with associated parts and components, as part of continuous efforts to increase public security. Authorities destroyed a total of 883 long and short firearms and 756 parts and components. Police collected these weapons during operations, and citizens also willingly handed them over, the Ministry of Security of Bosnia and Herzegovina said.
The destruction was organized by the Coordination Board for Small Arms and Light Weapons Control in cooperation with law enforcement agencies in Bosnia and Herzegovina, with support from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Bosnia and Herzegovina and UNDP SEESAC.
The European Union finances the initiative under Council Decision (CFSP) 2024/3006 of December 2, 2024, supporting SEESAC disarmament and arms control activities in Southeast Europe to reduce the threat of illicit SALW and ammunition, headed by UNDP SEESAC.
Since 2017, the competent bodies in Bosnia and Herzegovina have destroyed around 15,600 pieces of small arms and light weapons in partnership with UNDP SEESAC, with financial support from the European Union and UNDP technical assistance in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The Coordination Board for Small Arms and Light Weapons Control stated that every piece of illegal weaponry that is removed represents a reduction of risks of its misuse and contributes to greater citizen safety. Today’s destruction is a result of continuous work and cooperation of the competent institutions and law enforcement agencies in Bosnia and Herzegovina on controlling and reducing the amount of illegal weapons. It is particularly important to continue preventive action, raise awareness of the dangers posed by illegal possession of weapons, and encourage citizens to hand over illegal weapons voluntarily to competent institutions.
The European Union currently provides support of nearly 14.5 million euros for three regional small arms and light weapons control projects implemented by UNDP SEESAC. The project aims to reduce surplus stockpiles of small arms, light weapons, and ammunition, and combat the illicit possession and trafficking of firearms, light weapons, and ammunition.
UNDP in Bosnia and Herzegovina provides technical support for the implementation of activities. UNDP has been cooperating for many years with competent institutions on improving small arms and light weapons control and reducing the risks that their illegal possession poses to citizens. Through this cooperation, UNDP in Bosnia and Herzegovina supports safer management of confiscated weapons, strengthening institutional capacities, and implementing measures that contribute to greater public safety.
Today’s activity confirms long-standing cooperation and a shared commitment to sustainable solutions in the safe management of confiscated weapons and excess firearms. At the same time, it represents another step towards achieving the goals of the Roadmap of Sustainable Solution to the Illegal Possession, Misuse, and Trafficking of Small Arms and Light Weapons and Associated Ammunition in the Western Balkans by 2030, as well as the Small Arms and Light Weapons Control Strategy in Bosnia and Herzegovina for the period 2025-2030 and the accompanying Action Plan for the period 2025-2027.
