Tirana, 16 February 2024: Today, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) offices in Tirana and Pristina, in collaboration with the respective Ministries of Interior/Internal Affairs and the National SALW Commissions, jointly launched their respective projects on ‘Integrated Institutional Approach and Strengthening Cross-Border Cooperation to SALW Control’.

Both projects address challenges related to small arms and light weapons control in line with the Western Balkans Roadmap for a sustainable solution to the illegal possession, misuse and trafficking of Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW)/firearms and their ammunition in the Western Balkans by 2024.  

The Roadmap for a sustainable solution to arms control in the Western Balkans by 2024 was adopted at the London Summit held on 10 July 2018 and supported by Germany, Sweden, the Netherlands, France, the United Kingdom, and Norway, and the overarching support from the European Union.

The Roadmap envisions the Western Balkans as a safer region, and exporter of security, where comprehensive and sustainable mechanisms, fully harmonized with the European Union and other international standards, are in place to identify, prevent, prosecute, and control the illegal possession, misuse and trafficking of firearms, ammunition, and explosives.

The initiatives introduced today are firmly grounded in the specific objectives of the Roadmap and in alignment with Sustainable Development Goal 16, which seeks to promote just, peaceful, and inclusive societies by combatting organized crime and illicit financial flows.

Key pillars of both projects include capacity building to address and prevent illicit firearms and explosive flows, the provision of modern surveillance and detection equipment, the strengthening of inter-institutional and cross-border cooperation, and the creation of mechanisms for the exchange of intelligence data.

Through an integrated institutional approach, these initiatives strive to prevent and reduce firearms-related threats at domestic, regional, and international levels.

The projects underscore the commitment of both jurisdictions to work together towards shared goals, thereby fostering bilateral relations and promoting regional safety and security.

The Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs / Head of SALW Commission in Tirana, Mr. Besfort Lamallari, said: "Through this collaborative effort, spearheaded by the National SALW Commissions and UNDP offices in Tirana and Pristina, we set a firm stage for more than a thousand police and custom officers to not only benefit directly from the designed activities, but most importantly, to act in unison against shared threats and challenges to our law enforcement authorities and communities."

"We recognize the imperative to reduce the misuse and proliferation of firearms and address the root causes of violence and crime in our societies in the western Balkans and beyond. Projects on SALW control directly and positively impact the rule of law, security, and development. From capacity building to address and prevent illicit firearms and explosive flows, to modern surveillance equipment and intelligence data exchange, these projects embody a comprehensive approach to combating illicit firearms possession. The addition of cross-border cooperation elements is critical for enhancing the sustainability of the offered solutions. We extend our gratitude to our national and international partners for their support in implementing the Roadmap", emphasized the Resident Representative of UNDP office in Tirana, Ms. Monica Merino.

“The availability of illicit weapons continues to impact negatively on human security, and socio-economic development. It also contributes to insecurity, causing harm to civilians, facilitating human rights violations and impeding humanitarian access. UNDP’s engagement in supporting Small Arms and Light Weapons control and combating illicit arms trafficking, as well as other crucial fields such as cybercrime and cyber security, spans almost two decades and is part of our commitment to promoting human safety and security. Together with our partners, we are proud to be supporting authorities to fulfil their commitment towards the implementation of the Western Balkans Roadmap which envisages a safer region", said Nuno Queirós, Resident Representative of UNDP office in Pristina.

Speaking about the new initiatives launched, Mr. Gashani, Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs / Head of SALW Commission in Pristina, underlined: "In close collaboration with UNDP offices in Tirana and Pristina, we will be cooperating in specific areas contributing to the prevention, identification, investigation and confiscation of small arms and light weapons, ammunitions, and explosives."

The joint launching event, taking place today, served as a platform to formally initiate the implementation of these projects and engage relevant stakeholders in discussions about the projects’ objectives, strategies, and expected outcomes.