Kyrgyzstan hosts 11th annual OSCE regional workshop on countering improvised explosive devices

AKIPRESS.COM - The 11th annual OSCE regional workshop Explosive Hazards Reduction and Response: Countering Improvised Explosive Devices (C-IEDs) concluded in Issyk-Kul, Kyrgyzstan on 23 August. The five-day event brought together over thirty international experts to discuss recent developments in national, regional, and global C-IEDs strategies. It was organized by the OSCE Programme Office in Bishkek and the OSCE Programme Office in Dushanbe in close co-operation with the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Kyrgyzstan. Through a combination of group work, presentations and practical exercises, experts from Afghanistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Ukraine and Uzbekistan, as well as the Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining (GICHD), James Madison University and the International Trust Fund for Enhancing Human Security (ITF) shared their experience in tackling threats originating from improvised explosive devices. Participants noted that the unlawful use of IEDs and their proliferation has become a catalyst of attacks, conflicts and wars around the globe because of poor ammunition stockpile management, penetrable borders, and corruption. Thus, it is crucially important to focus on strengthening arms control, advancing ammunition management, and exchanging information between the co-operating states.
"The Government of the Kyrgyz Republic places high importance on co-operation with the OSCE and appreciates the OSCE's support in providing workshops on reducing explosive hazards. The workshop serves as a stimulus for development of scientific and technical solutions in reduction and deactivation of IED," noted Zyiabek Kamchybekov, Head of the Engineering Directorate of the General Staff of Armed Forces of Kyrgyzstan.
Johan Dahl, Acting Head of the Politico-Military Dimension of the OSCE Programme Office in Dushanbe, said: "Addressing explosive hazards is a communal effort where government and all stakeholders must work closely together to achieve common awareness and preparedness."
The workshop included a practical showcase of IED demolition demonstrated by the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Kyrgyzstan and the International Trust Fund for Enhancing Human Security.