The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) has launched a regional project, Project Hermes, aimed at countering firearms trafficking in postal parcels in the Western Balkans. As part of this initiative, on 9-10 May 2023, UNODC's Global Firearms Programme (GFP) held workshops in Skopje, North Macedonia; Podgorica, Montenegro; and Pristina, Kosovo* bringing together Customs Administrations (CA) and designated postal operators (DPOs) to develop Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) for cooperation in countering firearms trafficking in postal parcels.
Project Hermes makes an important contribution in addressing the growing threat of firearms trafficking through postal services, which has become an increasingly common method of smuggling firearms across borders. By developing SOPs and MoUs, CA and DPOs can coordinate their efforts more effectively to intercept firearms and other dangerous goods, ultimately preventing illicit trafficking.
During the workshops, participants engaged in collaborative discussions, sharing best practices and strategies for addressing the threat. The workshops also provided an opportunity for participants to build relationships and establish networks for ongoing communication and cooperation. As a result of the workshops, the participants enhanced their knowledge on developing SOPs and MoUs, proposals were made for establishing inter-institutional working groups to produce first drafts and a timeline was set for the development of the SOPs and MOUs.
This activity is implemented with financial support provided by Germany, the United Kingdom, Sweden, France, the Netherlands, and Norway through the Western Balkans SALW Control Roadmap Trust Fund and it is supported by the European Union.
*All references to Kosovo shall be understood to be in the context of Security Council resolution 1244 (1999).
