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Bishkek, 20 March 2025 – The Government of the Kyrgyz Republic, in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme in Kyrgyz Republic (UNDP) and United Nations Regional Centre for Peace and Disarmament in Asia and the Pacific, successfully concluded the SALIENT project, a landmark initiative aimed at strengthening small arms and light weapons (SALW) control in the country. The final coordination meeting, held in Bishkek, gathered high-level representatives from government agencies, international organizations, civil society, and media to discuss the project's achievements and the way forward.
The event was chaired by Marat Imankulov, Secretary of the Security Council of the Kyrgyz Republic, with the participation of deputies of the General Prosecutor’s Office, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Economy and Commerce, the Ministry of Defense and other government partners, highlighting the government's strong commitment to strengthening national arms control mechanisms.
The SALIENT project, implemented in coordination with the Secretariat of the Security Council of the Kyrgyz Republic, is in line with the National Development Programme of the Kyrgyz Republic until 2026, the National Security Concept of the Kyrgyz Republic, and the Digital Transformation Concept of the Kyrgyz Republic for 2024-2028, contributing to Sustainable Development Goal on Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions.
Since its launch, the project has led to significant advancements in the field of SALW control in Kyrgyzstan:
Development of the National Action Plan on SALW control to combat illicit arms trafficking and prevent armed violence.
Implementation of a unified digital tracking system for civilian firearms registration across in pilot format the entire country, including functionalities for specialized stores and end users.
Capacity-building programs for law enforcement agencies and relevant institutions on arms control and trafficking prevention.
Strengthened cooperation with international and regional partners, including the submission of Kyrgyzstan’s national report to the UN Programme of Action on SALW in 2024
Increased public awareness and engagement of civil society and media in SALW control efforts.
As part of the project's efforts to enhance arms control measures, computer equipment and specialized tracking software were handed over to the licensing and permitting departments of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. This will significantly improve the efficiency and transparency of civilian arms registration and oversight, ensuring stricter control over legal firearm ownership in Kyrgyzstan.
UN Resident Coordinator Antje Grawe highlighted the importance of a coordinated approach: “Effective small arms control and armed violence prevention require a coordinated, multi-sectoral approach. The strength of the SALIENT project lies in its ability to bring together key stakeholders—government institutions, UN agencies, and development partners—each contributing their unique expertise and resources to this common goal.”
“The SALIENT project has become part of a broader national effort to promote security and the rule of law. It has succeeded in laying the groundwork for long-term solutions that will allow for more effective regulation of small arms trafficking”, - said Alexandra Solovieva, UNDP Resident Representative in the Kyrgyz Republic. “We will continue to work with national and international partners to ensure the sustainability of the results achieved.”
While the SALIENT project has come to a successful conclusion, work on small arms control in Kyrgyzstan continues. The UN system remains committed to supporting the country in advancing its national security priorities, strengthening institutional capacities and integrating arms control measures into broader peace and development strategies.
As Kyrgyzstan looks to the future, sustained partnerships with national and international actors will be critical to ensuring long-term success in combating illicit arms flows and promoting a secure and peaceful society.
