The 27th session of the Strategic Committee for Weapons, Ammunition, and Mines and Explosives was held today in Sarajevo. The session highlighted progress in resolving surplus weapons and improving storage security, as well as the need for continued close international cooperation. The meeting was organized by the Ministry of Defence of Bosnia and Herzegovina, with support from the UNDP.
The Deputy Minister of Defence of Bosnia and Herzegovina for Policy and Plans, Slaven Galić, said the meeting was successfully concluded with the participation of numerous international partners supporting the resolution of surplus weapons, ammunition, mines, and explosives.
According to him, over 62,000 surplus weapons have beendestroyed from the stockpiles of the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina since 2006, along with over 28,000 tons of ammunition, and mines and explosives.
“We currently have 39,333 pieces of surplus weapons and 5,662 tons of various types of ammunition, and mines and explosivesin stock. Some will be destroyed, while the rest will be offeredfor sale in accordance with valid agreements,” Galić said.
He added that 20 percent of the allocated funds would go to the budget of the Ministry of Defence, and 80 percent to the entities. He added that the weapon destruction process is financially the most demanding.
He highlighted that the Ministry of Defence manages 63 storage locations, and that, with the support of international partners, investments in enhancing security levels will continue.
UNDP Resident Representative to Bosnia and Herzegovina Renaud Meyer described the meeting as successful, emphasizing that gradual but stable progress was evident.
“It is important to secure a safe environment for citizens, which is a precondition for developmental activities in local communities,” Meyer said.
He stated that UNDP, as an implementing partner, is cooperating with the Ministry of Defence and the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina on infrastructure improvements, including projects in Visoko, while work is expected to begin soon in Doboj.
Meyer expressed his gratitude to international partners, especially Germany, for financial support that enables the realization of infrastructure projects and the acquisition of equipment, and emphasized the importance of coordination andinformation exchange between domestic institutions and the international community.
The next meeting of the Strategic Committee is scheduled later this year, when they will review the progress made between the two sessions and define the next steps in managing surplus weapons and improving security.
The session was attended by the representatives of the Ministry of Defence and the Joint Staff of the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina, international organizations and partners, including the OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina, the European Union, NATO Headquarters Sarajevo, and EUFOR, as well as representatives of the embassies in Bosnia and Herzegovina – the United States of America, Switzerland, Germany, the United Kingdom, Austria, and Sweden, Fena writes.
