On 11 September 2023 in Serbia, and 20 September 2023 in Montenegro, significant milestones were reached as the Directors of the Custom Administrations and the Designated Postal Operators came together to sign Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). This marked a crucial moment, underlining their shared commitment to enhancing cooperation, while maintaining rigorous safety and security standards in parcel processing.
The signing of the MoU owes its success to the collaborative efforts and support from the UNODC's Firearms Trafficking Section and the German Corporation for International Cooperation (GIZ). GIZ's contribution focused on automating pre-arrival information processes, while the UNODC played a crucial role in drafting provisions related to information exchange on detected illicit firearms, their parts and components, ammunition, and other prohibited goods concealed within postal parcels.
The institutionalized information sharing between these key stakeholders promises to strengthen risk analysis and, subsequently, increase the rate of illicit goods detection, ensuring a safer and more secure postal system for all. In the upcoming period, the UNODC will continue to provide support to the Serbian and Montenegrin Customs Administrations and the Designated Postal Operators.
These activities are 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 supported by the European Union.
