OSCE promotes co-operation in demilitarization, explosive hazards reduction and explosive ordnance disposal in Central Asia

ASTANA, 21 November 2012 – A two-day OSCE conference “Technical Co-operation on Explosive Hazards Reduction and Response in Central Asia” started in Astana today.

The event brought together more than 60 technical experts, practitioners and other stakeholders from 16 countries and organizations. It is hosted by the Defence Ministry of Kazakhstan and is organized jointly by the OSCE Centre in Astana, OSCE Office in Tajikistan and the International Trust Fund to Enhance Human Security.

The conference addresses the issues of demilitarization, explosive hazards reduction and explosive ordnance disposal.

“With its extensive field presence across Central Asia, the OSCE is able to play a key role in facilitating co-operation in the field of explosive hazards reduction and response,” said Ambassador Natalia Zarudna, the Head of the OSCE centre in Astana.

“Technical co-operation, requiring close interaction between agencies and stakeholders across the region, can serve as a catalyst of change to improve the situation on the ground.”

“I am convinced that a joint dialogue will help us to identify the key areas to focus our efforts on in order to minimize the possible risks associated with explosive hazards,” said Colonel Anarbek Akhmetalin, Deputy chief of the Arms Reduction Control and Inspection Activities Support Centre within the Defence Ministry of Defence of Kazakhstan. “Together, we can and should contribute to the further strengthening of security and stability in the Central Asian region.”

Since 2009, the OSCE has been supporting the development of co-operative mechanisms on a technical level among states in Central Asia and Afghanistan to address concerns and challenges stemming from explosive hazards.