OSCE supports explosive ordnance disposal course for specialists of Regional Explosive Hazards Training Centre of Tajikistan’s Defence Ministry

A one-month regional Explosive Ordnance Disposal course (level 2) concluded at the Regional Explosive Hazards Training Centre in Chimteppa on 18 June 2021.

The course was hosted by Tajikistan’s Defence Ministry and facilitated by the OSCE Programme Office in Dushanbe in partnership with the United States Army Central (USARCENT). USARCENT instructors delivered the training course.

Three instructors from the Regional Explosive Hazards Training Centre, three officers and one medical specialist from Tajikistan’s Defence Ministry attended the training course. It aimed to develop their competencies and skills in detecting and identifying explosive ordnances as well as determining when they can be safely moved and transported.  The course also included simulation exercises providing thorough on-the-job tasks, improving the participants mentoring and monitoring skills.

In-class sessions covered topics such as operation and search of explosive ordnances; clearance equipment; management, including threat assessment; and recognition of environmental hazards in which explosives ordnances are located. Practical sessions were jointly arranged by Tajikistan’s Defence Ministry and the OSCE Programme Office in Dushanbe and included safe access and transportation of ordnances to their final disposal.

Valeriu Chiveri, Head of the OSCE Programme Office in Dushanbe said: “I express my sincere appreciation to the Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Tajikistan for the continuous excellent co-operation. Our partnership is to enhance the capabilities of Tajikistan and Central Asian countries to counter explosive hazards and to share knowledge and experience among the specialists in the field.” Chiveri further added that it was the first course after the pandemic with participation of all partners and thanked the governments of the US and Germany for their support in implementing the project.

Representing Tajikistan’s Defence Ministry, General Mirovar Khushvakht Mirshakar, First Deputy Head of General staff of the Ministry stressed the years of co-operation between the OSCE Programme Office in Dushanbe and the Defence Ministry and the role of the experts of the USARCENT, including in the curriculum development of the training course. He emphasized that during the years the programme allowed participants from various countries to obtain knowledge in ordnance disposal.

Steven Equils, Chief of the Office of Military Co-operation at the United States Embassy in Dushanbe, noted that the US is committed to support Tajikistan’s security services and the government in the mutual goal of broader security. He highly valued the established partnership between the US government, Tajikistan’s Defence Ministry, the OSCE Programme Office in Dushanbe, Tajikistan National Mine Action Centre and the German government.

The OSCE has been supporting the development of co-operative mechanisms on a technical level among states in Central Asia to address concerns and challenges stemming from explosive hazards since 2014.