News and press releases

The OSCE Programme Office in Bishkek, in co-operation with the Conflict Prevention Centre/Forum for Security Cooperation of the OSCE Secretariat, successfully concluded the second module of the training course “Combatting Illicit Trafficking of Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW), Ammunition, and Explosives” in Osh. Held from 18–21 November 2024, the training aimed to strengthen the capacities of Kyrgyzstan's Border Service officers in SALW identification, post-seizure record-keeping, information sharing, and tracing.

The OSCE Programme Office in Bishkek is supporting a series of joint inter- and intra-agency exercises designed to enhance collaboration between the Border Service and law enforcement agencies in combating the illicit trafficking of small arms and light weapons, conventional ammunition, and explosives in southern Kyrgyzstan. These scenario-based exercises are vital in reinforcing co-operation between the Border Service’s internal structures and units, while also fostering stronger partnerships with law enforcement agencies. By working together, participants will become familiar with each other’s operational procedures, improving their ability to respond swiftly and effectively to security threats.

Issyk-Kul, Kyrgyz Republic The Border Service of the State Committee for National Security, Ministry of Interior, Customs Service under the Ministry of Finance, and the State Service for Execution of Punishment under the Ministry of Justice convened in Issyk-Kul from 26-28 August 2024 for the K-9 Inter-Agency Coordination Meeting.

Novopavlovka village, Chui province, Kyrgyzstan – 24 July, 2024 A ceremony marking the launch of removal operation of the final 55 tonnes of Samin, a toxic rocket fuel component, from the Novopavlovka area in Chui province of Kyrgyzstan took place today. This operation mitigates a significant environmental threat and ensures the safety of some 21,000 residents living near the storage site. The chemical waste will be transported out of Kyrgyzstan by air to Germany at the end of August 2024, where it will be incinerated in a specialized disposal facility.

Osh, 15-19 July 2024 – The OSCE Programme Office in Bishkek conducted a week-long Training-of-Trainers (ToT) course on Ammunition Bunker Site (ABS) management. This initiative aimed to enhance the skills and knowledge of trainer candidates in managing Ammunition Bunker Sites according to international guidelines and best practices. The training focused on compliance with the International Ammunition Technical Guidelines (IATG) and national regulations, providing both theoretical and practical lessons on setting up and running ABS, with an emphasis on safety measures to prevent unforeseen events at storage sites.

BISHKEK, 1-5 July 2024 – The OSCE Transnational Threats Department conducted a week-long training course “Crisis Management, Behavioural Analysis, and Interviewing Techniques” in collaboration with the OSCE Programme Office in Bishkek.

On 28 May, the Head of the OSCE Programme Office in Bishkek, Head of the Politico-Military Department and the SALW Borders ExB team of the OSCE Programme Office in Bishkek participated in the official celebration of the National Day of State Border Service in Kyrgyzstan that took place in Batken. The event, conducted with the participation of high officials, including Vice Cabinet Minister-Chairperson of the State Committee for National Security Lieutenant-General Kamchybek Tashiev, and the Director of the Border Service of the State Committee for National Security of the Kyrgyz Republic General-Major Ularbek Sharsheev, served as a platform for the presentation of the results achieved under the ExB Project on “Reducing the risk of illicit small arms and light weapons, ammunition and explosives proliferation across border of Kyrgyz Republic, implemented together with the Border Service.