OSCE supports regional workshop in Kazakhstan on reducing and responding to explosive hazards

ASTANA, 16 November 2016 – A three-day OSCE regional workshop for 40 military and civilian experts focusing on challenges related to reducing and responding to explosive hazards, and developing the capacities of personnel working in this area, started today in Astana.

The workshop is designed to serve as a platform for the exchange of experiences and best practices in explosive hazards reduction and response on a technical level among specialists from Afghanistan, Armenia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, the United Kingdom and the United States as well as the Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining. Representatives from Kosovo are also taking part. The event is organized by Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Defence together with the OSCE Programme Office in Astana and the OSCE Office in Tajikistan.

Amangeldy Aubakirov, Head of the Arms Reduction Control and Inspection Activities Support Centre at Kazakhstan’s Defence Ministry noted the positive progress achieved since the two OSCE field operations and Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Defence signed a tripartite Memorandum of Understanding signed last September. He emphasized the need to share best practices and the importance of international co-operation in this field.

Ambassador György Szabó, Head of the OSCE Programme Office in Astana said: “Reducing the risks from explosive hazards requires a systematic and continuous process of assessing the challenges associated with them. In this light, it is particularly important to create qualified military and civilian specialists in accordance with the requirements of international standards.”

Luka Buhin, Programme Officer at the OSCE Office in Tajikistan said that the event allows for the networking of experts in explosive hazards risk reduction and response.

The workshop is part of the OSCE’s long-term support in developing a co-operative mechanism among states in Central Asia to promote OSCE Confidence and Security-Building Measures by addressing the challenges stemming from explosive hazards.