A Regional Conference on Export Control of Conventional Arms and Dual-Use Goods took place in the Kyrgyz Republic, bringing together representatives from seven Central Asian and neighboring countries. The conference was held in person on 6–7 August 2025 at Jannat Resort (Koi-Tash village)
The event was organized under the joint initiative of the European Union’s P2P Programme on Arms Export Control (COARM VII) and the P2P 105 Programme on Dual-Use Goods Export Control in Central Asia. Both projects are implemented by the Federal Office for Economic Affairs and Export Control (BAFA) of Germany, with the support of the Ministry of Economy and Commerce of the Kyrgyz Republic.
The EU P2P Programme on Dual-Use Export Control aims to support the establishment, consolidation, and/or modernization of effective Strategic Trade Control (STC) systems for dual-use goods by raising awareness among key national stakeholders — such as legislators, law enforcement officers, civil servants, and industry representatives — of the importance of STC in preventing the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.
Delegations from Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Mongolia, Pakistan, and Turkey participated in the conference, as well as representatives of international organizations such as the OSCE and the ISTC, including international experts from the UN Security Council's 1540 Committee and the EU.
Opening remarks were delivered by a representative of the Ministry of Economy and Commerce of the Kyrgyz Republic, a representative of the European Union Delegation to Kyrgyzstan and Dr. Mandy Pastor, President of BAFA
The conference program consisted of six thematic sessions covering the following topics:
- The role of export control in international trade and security, including in the context of the EU Common Position (2008/944/CFSP) and the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT);
- Overview of UN Security Council Resolution 1540 as a legal framework for the control of dual-use goods;
- Presentations of national export control systems from seven participating countries, focusing on licensing and legal regulation;
- EU control lists for military items and dual-use goods, including their practical application;
- National case studies on the use of control lists in licensing procedures.
Key Speakers Included:
- Dr. Crystal Pryor, TradeStrategic LLC
- Sandra Raka and Werner Knapp, BAFA
- Matej Benda, Deputy Director of the Licensing Authority, Ministry of Industry and Trade, Czech Republic
- Matjaž Murovec, Key Expert, EU P2P Project 105
- National representatives of the participating countries
The final session of the conference was moderated by Ms. Jyldyz Sydygalieva, Key Expert of the EU P2P Project 105. The discussion focused on key findings and practical outcomes related to the application of control lists in export licensing. Participants highlighted the importance of regional dialogue, exchange of best practices, and enhanced international cooperation to improve the effectiveness of export controls and prevent the proliferation of conventional arms and dual-use technologies.
The conference concluded with closing remarks from Dr. Mandy Pastor (BAFA) and a representative of the Ministry of Economy and Commerce of the Kyrgyz Republic.
