OSCE Centre in Astana organizes regional seminar to review and evaluate best practices on conventional ammunition

ALMATY, 8 December 2009 - An OSCE-supported seminar addressing best practices on the registration, stockpiling, transportation and destruction of conventional ammunition began in Almaty today.

The regional event brought together military personnel, non-governmental organization representatives and other experts from Central Asia and the Caucasus, Belarus, the United Kingdom, Germany, Russia, the United States, and OSCE field missions.

During the two-day seminar, the participants will discuss their experience implementing the procedures and recommendations outlined in the OSCE's 2008 Handbook of Best Practices on Conventional Ammunition.

"OSCE participating States and Partners for Co-operation can use the handbook to address the risks and challenges associated with conventional ammunition in a safe and environmentally sound way," said Jeannette Kloetzer, Deputy Head of the OSCE Centre in Astana. "The OSCE Centre in Astana supports dialogue and co-operation in this key area of security."

Eldar Kunaev of Kazakhstan's Foreign Ministry, expressed hope that the "seminar will serve as a catalyst for the implementation of the best practices outlined in handbook".

The OSCE Centre in Astana co-organized the seminar with the OSCE Secretariat's Conflict Prevention Centre and Kazakhstan's Defense Ministry as part of its efforts to promote arms control and regional security.