Daniela Gašparíková, UNDP Resident Representative to Montenegro

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Dear partners, Mr. Veljovic and Ms. Halacheva,

ladies and gentlemen,

Promoting peaceful, just and inclusive societies is at the core of the Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development - the world’s most ambitious plan to eradicate poverty while reducing inequality and protecting the planet. In fact, one of the specific targets of this plan is to significantly reduce illicit arms flows by 2030. 

Stockpiles of firearms, ammunition and explosives run the risk of proliferation and deterioration. They can create an imminent safety risk, so they have to be correctly managed, stored, handled and transported.

That is why it was important to improve this storage facility in Rogami and bring it up to the best international security standards.

We are proud that UNDP is a partner of choice to the Ministry of Interior and the EU in making Montenegro a safer place, and South-East Europe a safer region.

Through SEESAC, UNDP has been working for almost two decades to help countries in the region better control Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW).  

Through UNDP’s SEESAC, and under auspices of Germany, France and the EU, countries of the region have collaborated and adopted the Regional Roadmap for Western Balkans to tackle this issue by 2024. ***Regional Roadmap for a sustainable solution to the illegal possession, misuse and trafficking of small arms and light weapons and their ammunition in the Western Balkans by 2024

The Roadmap defines concrete measures, including on physical security and stockpile management. It also recognizes the importance of systematic destruction of surplus or confiscated weapons and ammunition. This is yet another area where we worked together and achieved remarkable results in Montenegro.

One of our next steps is establishment of Firearms Focal Point. This will strengthen police investigation capacities and will contribute to the implementation of the Roadmap.

Let me congratulate Montenegrin authorities on all the work so far – from improving legislation to concrete measures on the ground. They show determination to fight all forms of gun-related crimes; and we stand ready to further support the Ministry of Interior and the Police of Montenegro in the important work that you perform every day for this society, country and the region -  thank you for the excellent cooperation so far.