On October 31, 2023, the Ministry of Defense of the Kyrgyz Republic, in partnership with the OSCE Programme Office in Bishkek, marked a significant milestone - the inauguration of two modernized training classrooms in Osh. These newly renovated facilities are not only a testament to the importance of proper ammunition storage and maintenance but also a tangible step toward bolstering the safety and security in Kyrgyzstan. The importance of ensuring the safekeeping and proper care of ammunition cannot be overstated. In this context, these classrooms are now to play a pivotal role in hosting crucial courses dedicated to the transportation and storage of ammunition.
Intensive 2-week courses are provided by the experts of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Germany and adhere to international standards such as the International Ammunition Technical Guidelines (IATG), UN "Orange Book," European Agreement concerning the International Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Road (ADR), and OSCE best practice guides. This collaborative effort, benefiting a total of 40 specialists from the Ministry of Defense, is focused on enhancing their skills and expertise in ammunition handling.
"This partnership between the Ministry of Defense and the OSCE Programme Office in Bishkek advances military specialists' capabilities and ensures secure ammunition management, thereby contributing to the safety and security of Kyrgyzstan."- noted Alexander Eliseev, Head of the Politio-military dimension of the OSCE Programme Office in Bishkek.
The renovation of these classrooms and the launch of the courses signify a vital step in improving ammunition storage and transportation practices, in line with the OSCE mandate, ultimately contributing to the safety and security of Kyrgyzstan and the broader Central Asian region.
* This initiative is part of an ongoing series of activities within the extra-budgetary project "Improvement of Small Arms and Light Weapons and Conventional Ammunition life-cycle management capacity of the Ministry of Defense of the Kyrgyz Republic" supported by Germany and Switzerland.
