An expert discussion on «Joint Actions Against Illegal Arms Trade and Explosives in Ukraine» was held in Ukraine, featuring Minister of Internal Affairs Igor Klymenko and OSCE Special Representative Peter Maresh, organized by the Ministry in collaboration with the OSCE.
The event brought together deputies of the Minister, heads of the National Police, representatives from the Prosecutor's Office, SBU, DBR, and other state bodies, as well as international experts and diplomats. The moderator of the event was Mykola Hrynzov, the director of the department of cooperation with the police.
The Minister emphasized that controlling the arms trade during conflict is critical for the safety of both Ukraine and Europe. «Given the ongoing hostilities, there is a significant risk of weapons entering criminal circles. We are taking measures to prevent these risks and implementing projects that will ensure citizens' safety and lay the groundwork for post-war recovery,» noted Igor Klymenko.
The Ministry continues to enhance control over arms circulation, aligning it with international standards. The introduction of a Unified Arms Register marked a significant step in strengthening oversight and simplifying weapon registration via the «DiiA» platform.
«Since June 2023, the Unified Arms Register has been operational, simplifying registration procedures for citizens while enhancing control. We are actively working on the digitalization of services in this area,» the Minister stated.
Furthermore, the Minister highlighted that since November 25 of last year, Ukraine has been implementing a voluntary arms declaration process, allowing citizens to legalize unregistered weapons. After the martial law is lifted, they can retain this weapon by converting it to a legal form.
The Ministry also pays significant attention to informational campaigns aimed at raising public legal awareness regarding the responsibility for illegal possession and trafficking of weapons.
OSCE Special Representative Peter Maresh commended Ukraine's achievements in establishing the Unified Arms Register and the Coordinating Center for Combating Illegal Arms Trade, as well as the efforts of law enforcement to ensure citizen safety during the ongoing conflict.
"The illegal arms trade poses a serious threat to communities and is closely linked to international organized crime. This issue involves not only security but also economic stability, democracy, and politics. Hence, we are uniting our efforts with government representatives and international partners to combat illegal arms trade in Ukraine,» emphasized Peter Maresh.
During the three thematic blocks, participants discussed the outcomes of the voluntary arms declaration initiative and future steps in international cooperation. The event also served as a platform for sharing experiences and establishing new formats of cooperation with international partners.
