Regional Cooperation

The Regional Cooperation Programmes (RCP) promote dialogue and regional cooperation between explosive ordnance-affected states in managing and reducing risks from EO.

There are three established regional programmes: Arab Regional Cooperation Programme, Eastern Europe, Caucasus and Central Asia Regional Cooperation Programme, and Francophone Regional Cooperation Programme.

Initiated by the GICHD, the Regional Cooperation Programmes have their roots in the Linguistic Outreach Programme (LOP) established back in 2006. The RCP was created following a request from the involved states to set up a common regional platform based on linguistic commonality and geographical proximity, for countries to share experiences and best practice. 

Building on the evolution and progress of the Regional Cooperation Programmes over the years, the programmes work closely with and to the benefit of national authorities of affected states and organisations in the respective regions. The aim is to strengthen and promote existing technical knowledge by giving access to terminology and to facilitate the application of international norms and standards. This will be in line with the GICHD strategy service line of fostering partnerships, dialogue and cooperation. By facilitating dialogue, strengthening cooperation and building networks, the Regional Cooperation Programmes will play a key role in both mine action and ammunition safety management, as well as in broader explosive ordnance risk reduction.