Law Enforcement Sectoral Working Group Launches to Strengthen Civilian Security and International Cooperation
January 28, 2025
On 27 January, the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine hosted a meeting of the “Law Enforcement” Sectoral Working Group, co-chaired by the European Union Advisory Mission (EUAM) Ukraine.
The event was attended by heads of embassies and missions of international organisations, members of the Ukrainian Parliament’s Committee on Law Enforcement, and senior officials from the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Office of the Prosecutor General, Security Service of Ukraine, State Bureau of Investigation, and State Customs Service of Ukraine.
During the meeting, the Minister of Internal Affairs of Ukraine, Ihor Klymenko, provided a detailed overview of the development of Ukraine’s new security architecture under the Ministry of Internal Affairs. He highlighted the launch of the 112 Emergency Service, which allows citizens to request assistance in emergencies, as well as efforts to locate missing persons and the identification process involving staff from the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the National Police.
Particular attention was given to information security during wartime and the role of strategic communications in countering enemy propaganda and building public trust in state institutions.
The Minister also outlined the activities of Ministry agencies, including the documentation of war crimes, demining, evacuation, border protection, crime prevention, modernising alert systems, and implementing veteran policies.
In addition, Ihor Klymenko addressed the fight against illegal arms trafficking, noting that since June 2023, the Unified Register of Weapons has been operational in Ukraine. This system has strengthened control over the circulation of firearms while simplifying the registration process for citizens.
“The interagency Coordination Centre for Combating Illicit Trafficking in Firearms, Their Parts and Components and Ammunition is in operation. I would like to highlight our cooperation with the OSCE and the EUAM in this regard. We are jointly achieving certain results and hope to continue our cooperation”, – the Minister added.
In turn, the Head of the European Union Advisory Mission for Civilian Security Sector Reform, Rolf Holmboe, emphasised that the main goal of the Sectoral Working Group (SWG) is to engage partners’ support in the area of civilian security and coordinate it in a way that ensures maximum effectiveness.
“I thank you, Minister, for giving us an overview of the impressive engagements by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and its’ agencies and for sharing your strategic thoughts on the way ahead. Not everyone may fully realise how critical your work is for ensuring the security and stability of the country every single day. You are fighting at the front, you carry out critical stabilisation tasks in frontline areas, and you work for the safety and well-being of all Ukrainians all over the country. It is an honour for me to attend this first SWG meeting with ambassadors and partners, and all of us stand with you in achieving our shared goals. We will continue to provide the necessary assistance to ensure this Sectoral Working Group can perform its tasks effectively”, Rolf Holmboe stated during his speech.
After the event, Ihor Klymenko introduced the thematic subgroups of the Sectoral Working Group, which focus on four strategic areas:
– Strengthening emergency response,
– Crime prevention and community safety,
– Border security,
– Rebuilding, restoration, and accessibility.
It is worth noting that the “Law Enforcement” Sectoral Working Group serves as a platform for dialogue and coordination between Ukrainian security sector agencies and international donors. Its aim is to consolidate efforts to provide international support in response to Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine and to foster long-term international cooperation, including during the post-war recovery period and the establishment of a sustainable and just peace.
