Bishkek, April 24, 2024 - Yesterday, the Steering Committee of the new SALIENT project, "Strengthening Control Over Small Arms and Light Weapons in the Kyrgyz Republic," convened as part of the SALIENT Global Programme. The meeting was held to review and approve the Joint Action Plan for 2024

Representatives of the UN Development Programme (UNDP), the UN Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA), the United Nations System in the Kyrgyz Republic, the Secretariat of the Security Council of the Kyrgyz Republic, the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Kyrgyz Republic, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kyrgyz Republic, the Prosecutor General's Office of the Kyrgyz Republic, the Ministry of Defense of the Kyrgyz Republic, other relevant state bodies, civil society, and the media participated in the project steering committee meeting.

This project aims to strengthen national capacity in the field of strict control over weapons through the implementation of preventive strategies, improvement of the legal and regulatory framework, and enhancement of international cooperation. Special attention is given to the exchange of experiences and best practices, as well as the collection of quality data. The SALIENT Global Programme provides support to member states in addressing the issue of armed violence and illegal arms trafficking through joint programs aimed at strengthening stability and security. Detailed information is available on the website.

Alexandra Solovieva, UNDP Resident Representative, noted: "This year, we are pleased to provide support to Kyrgyzstan following a scoping mission, which helped tailor this project to the country's priority needs. As UNDP in Kyrgyzstan, we are committed to establishing partnership relations with the Secretariat of the Security Council of the Kyrgyz Republic and other national institutions, and we confirm our readiness to provide comprehensive assistance for the successful implementation of this project."

The Deputy Secretary of the Security Council of the Kyrgyz Republic, Kylchbek Abyshev, reminded about Kyrgyzstan's initiative to declare March 5 as the International Day for Disarmament and Non-Proliferation Awareness, which was unanimously supported and enshrined in the relevant Resolution of the United Nations General Assembly. "We welcome and support all UN efforts in disarmament, recognizing the important contribution that civil society, academia, and the media can make in this area," he emphasized. 

The project, adhering to the principle of inclusivity, aims at broad involvement of all segments of society, including women and community leaders, in decision-making processes, considering their significant role in reducing the scale of armed violence.

***

United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) collaborates with representatives from all sectors of society, helping in state-building efforts of countries, enabling them to withstand crises, and promoting and supporting growth that leads to improving the quality of life for every individual. Working on the ground in more than 170 countries and territories, we offer a global vision and local solutions, promoting a more inclusive life for people and enhancing the resilience of states.

Photos: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjBnv6e 

Media contact: Nurzhan Alymkanova, Communications Specialist, UNDP nurzhan.alymkanova@undp.org