In OSCE Tajikistan presented results of work on humanitarian demining and destruction of surplus of SALW and SCA

A regular plenary meeting of the OSCE Forum for Security Co-operation (FSC) took place in the Hofburg Palace in Vienna on 19 June 2019. The meeting, chaired by the Republic of Tajikistan, was dedicated to the OSCE projects in Central Asia on management of Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW) / Stockpiles of Conventional Ammunition (SCA) Projects in.

As a keynote speaker the Chairmanship has invited the Director of the Department of the Engineering Corps, General Staff of Armed Forces of the Republic of Tajikistan, the Major General Sayorabek Bachabekzoda, who made presentation on the implemented projects in Tajikistan in destruction of surplus of SALW and SCA and their physical protection, as well as in the sphere of humanitarian demining.

A senior representative of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Tajikistan has made a comprehensive presentation about the experience of cooperation between the military structures of Tajikistan and the OSCE and other partners, which for the first time took shape in successful implementation of the Program of the Small Arms and Light Weapons and Conventional Ammunition Management in the Republic of Tajikistan (2004-2009). It was noted that within the Program framework 26,000 surplus pieces of SALW and 30 tons of surplus of conventional ammunition were destroyed; 9 new arms depot and 60 arms rooms for SALW and SCA were built and renovated. According to Mr. Bachabekzoda Tajikistan is currently cooperating with the OSCE on launching an electronic control system of stockpiles of light weapons and ammunition in the Ministry of Defense.

Commending the OSCE's contribution to the implementation of the National Program on the Humanitarian Demining in the Republic of Tajikistan, the Major General has noted that since 2009 this process has led to the creation of the Humanitarian Demining Сompany, which operates under the Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Tajikistan. Up today the Company has cleared more than 3 km2 of territory, has found and destroyed more than 16,000 anti-personnel mines and more than 3,000 other explosive items. In this regard Mr. Bachabekzoda has noted that the Strategic Plan for Humanitarian Demining is currently being implemented in the country with the view of enhancement of works in this area.