Small arms and light weapons are fueling instability around the world. Digital Path to Peace: How Kyrgyzstan Strengthens Security through Small Arms Control Peace and Security
Across the world, small arms and light weapons remain one of the greatest sources of instability and armed violence. Their uncontrolled spread undermines social development, fuels conflicts and destroys trust in government institutions.
Kyrgyzstan demonstrates how digital solutions in the field of small arms control can contribute to peace and security.
The government of the country, with the support of the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA), as part of the global SALIENT (Saving Lives Entity) initiative, is working to create a modern system for managing civilian firearms weapons.
From paper to digital registers
Before the launch of the SALIENT project, registration of weapons in Kyrgyzstan was carried out manually at the regional level. Paper logs, disparate databases, and limited information sharing among departments hampered effective control and coordination.
With the implementation of SALIENT, the country’s authorities created the first unified electronic registry of weapons, launched in 2024. The new digital system brings together all authorized government agencies on a secure platform, providing online background checks, permit renewals and registration of weapons transfers.
In addition, the project helped strengthen the national regulatory framework: the first National Action Plan on Small Arms and Light Weapons was prepared, and an interdepartmental coordination group was created, bringing together 14 government institutions. Licensing departments received modern software and equipment, which speeded up the registration process and made it possible to track it.The measures taken by Kyrgyzstan have increased transparency, efficiency and the level of interaction between agencies, bringing Kyrgyzstan’s practices closer to international standards for small arms management.
“UNDP supports national efforts to strengthen peace and security… through the creation of an inter-agency coordination group, digitalization of the registry and the development of a National Plan on Small Arms and Light Weapons,” the Permanent Representative emphasized UNDP in Kyrgyzstan Alexandra Solovyova.
The world – step by step
UNDP representative Zhenishbek Arzymatov noted: “It is important to maintain the achieved results. UNDP intends to continue to support the implementation of the National Action Plan and the expansion of the digital registry throughout the country. Our goal is to help Kyrgyzstan achieve its national gun control goals.”
Kyrgyzstan’s progress was reported on the international stage – during the SALIENT global training event, held from September 30 to October 1, 2025 at the UN Global Service Center in Brindisi, Italy. and preparation of the draft National Plan before strengthening inter-agency coordination.
The event was attended by representatives from more than 10 countries, as well as UNODA, UNDP and partners. Participants exchanged experiences and discussed further steps in the development of the SALIENT initiative.
“In recent years, Kyrgyzstan has intensified efforts to control small and light weapons. As part of the partnership, we hold national workshops for government officials, journalists and civil society representatives, and have developed a National Action Plan that sets a long-term vision. When we digitized the first record of weapons, it was not just a number on the screen – it was a step towards a world that can be seen, felt and believed in,” said Maksat Omorov. Kyrgyzstan initiated the establishment of March 5 as the International Day of Awareness for Disarmament and Non-Proliferation, the idea was approved by the UN General Assembly.