Arms Control in the Middle East, Challenges and Opportunities for Peace after the Fall of the Assad Regime

This panel will bring various perspectives on the implications of the recent developments in Syria. Central to efforts at stabilising the country is the security pillar and the nexus of mine action, security governance and the illicit proliferation of small arms and light weapons. Securing of unsecure stockpiles and the clearing of contamination from damaged sites will have an immediate impact on the safety and security of those communities affected. Meanwhile efforts to limit the illicit proliferation of small arms and light weapons, through improved weapons and ammunition management will contribute to creating a conducive environment for longer term peace and stability.

While the problems facing Syria are complex, tackling this nexus of security issues is central to Syria’s stability, the safety and security of its people’s, as well as regional security.

The panel will bring together voices from the field active in the security pillar (such as the White Helmets of Syria), regional representatives, as well as Geneva-based actors in the field of international security sector governance and weapons and ammunition management: the Small Arms Survey, GICHD, and DCAF, with a view towards identifying common priorities for action and promoting coordination between international and regional actors in three related sectors:

• Mine-clearance for humanitarian and economic development

• Governance of the security sector as a key component to economic and political development

• Limiting and combating illicit proliferation of arms and armed violence reduction as essential pillars to avoiding a return to conflict or erosion of state legitimacy.

Moderator

• Dr. Mark Downes, Small Arms Survey Director

Ice-Breakers:

• Minister Raed Al-Saleh, Ministry for Emergency and Disaster Management, Syrian Arab Republic (ONLINE)
•  Mr. Peter M. Wagner, Head of the Service for Foreign Policy Instruments, European Commission

Speakers

•         Mr. Ahmed Ekzayez, Chief Programs Manager, White Helmets
•         Ayman Ayoub, head of MENA -DCAF
•         Rana Elias, Programme Manager, Cooperation-GICHD
•         Dr. Doaa Elnakhaka, Senior researcher-the Small Arms Survey