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STATEMENT BY THE DELEGATION OF UKRAINE
1146th FSC Plenary Meeting (23d September 2026) Agenda Item 1, Security Dialogue: “Enhancing Security and Confidence through SALW and SCA Assistance Projects”
Mr. Chairperson,
Ukraine thanks the Chairpersonship of the United Kingdom for convening today’s Security Dialogue on enhancing security and confidence through assistance projects on small arms and light weapons and stockpiles of conventional ammunition.
We thank distinguished panellists for sharing national, beneficiary and donor perspectives. Their contributions demonstrate that the OSCE Assistance Mechanism is a practical instrument that produces visible security benefits.
Distinguished colleagues,
Ukraine hosts the largest project in the OSCE’s current SALW and SCA portfolio. Russia’s war of aggression has made effective weapons control, secure ammunition management and prevention of illicit trafficking and diversion even more urgent. We know the challenges we face, and we also know how to address them. This work is neither simple nor quick, but Ukraine is taking decisive action and delivering results. Our experience confirms that national ownership and international assistance reinforce each other.
Mr. Chairperson,
The OSCE project supporting Ukrainian authorities has already delivered concrete results. Ukraine has established the Unified Weapons Register and a mechanism for 2 weapons declaration, created a national Coordination Centre to combat illicit trafficking in firearms, their parts and ammunition, and developed a mechanism for coordination with international partners. A National Roadmap and Action Plan through 2030 has also been drafted, while more than 600 law-enforcement officers have received training.
The next phase should consolidate these gains: strengthen lifecycle management of weapons, improve interoperability of national registers and ballistic systems with European platforms, enhance border, forensic, analytical and K-9 capacities, and further align legislation and practice with EU standards. Public awareness, safe storage and responsible behaviour must remain integral parts of this work.
Ukraine therefore encourages participating States to make more active use of the OSCE Assistance Mechanism and to provide the extra-budgetary contributions needed to sustain projects with proven impact. In a time of profound pressure on European security, practical co-operation on SALW and SCA is an investment in resilience, public safety and mutual confidence. And almost every EU Member State has taken this path.
Ukraine remains committed to responsible weapons management and stands ready to share the lessons we continue to learn under the most demanding conditions.
I thank you, Mr. Chairperson.