Central Asian nations enhance their explosive ordnance disposal capabilities through Belgium exchange visit

Experts from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan recently concluded a valuable exchange visit to Belgium focused on enhancing their Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) capabilities. The visit, which took place from 10 to 14 February 2025, was facilitated and supported by the OSCE Programme Office in Dushanbe and hosted by the Kingdom of Belgium, with participation from the United States.

The Central Asian delegation visited three specialized Belgian EOD facilities: Meerdaal Barracks, Poelkapelle Barracks, and Zeebrugge Barracks. These locations provided insights into diverse EOD specializations, including command and control, conventional weapons disposal, improvised explosive device response, chemical weapons remediation, and underwater EOD operations. The participants gained a comprehensive understanding of Belgium’s multi-faceted approach to EOD missions through interactive discussions and observation of practical exercises.

The exchange visit provided Central Asian partners with the opportunity to learn from the best practices and lessons of their Belgian counterparts, while also sharing their own experiences. The focus on training center management was particularly beneficial for representatives from Tajikistan and its Regional Explosive Hazards Training Center (REHTC). Since 2014, the United States Army Central (USARCENT)’s Humanitarian Mine Action (HMA) program and the OSCE Programme Office in Dushanbe’s Integrated Cooperation on Explosive Hazards (ICExH) program have been supporting the Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Tajikistan in explosive hazards reduction and response. The visit fostered in-depth discussions on training methodologies and operational procedures, with active engagement from all participating nations.

The OSCE Programme Office in Dushanbe played a crucial role in coordinating this important initiative, which strengthens regional security and promotes international co-operation in addressing the challenges posed by explosive hazards. This activity falls under the broader framework of the OSCE’s efforts to enhance regional security and stability.