Arms Control in the Middle East: Challenges and Opportunities for Peace after the Fall of the Assad Regime

Geneva Peace Week Panel

Wednesday 15 October 2025 | 3:00pm - 4:30pm CET | In-person and online (via Zoom)

Geneva Centre for Security Policy (GCSP), Conference Room, 4th floor | Maison de la Paix (Chemin Eugène-Rigot 2E, 1202, Geneva, Switzerland)

The panel will bring together voices from the field active in the security pillar, regional representatives, as well as Geneva-based actors working on international security sector governance, mine action, and weapons and ammunition management. The discussion will focus on identifying challenges and opportunities for peace, as well as common priorities for action and promoting coordination between international and regional actors in three related sectors:

mine clearance;
security sector governance;
reduction of illicit weapons proliferation and armed violence.

Moderator
Dr. Mark Downes - Director, Small Arms Survey

Introductory Remarks (via video)
Minister Raed Al-Saleh - Ministry for Emergency and Disaster Management, Syrian Arab Republic

Mr. Peter M. Wagner - Head of the Service for Foreign Policy Instruments, European Commission

Speakers
Mr. Mohamed Rachid - Data Information Manager, White Helmets

Ayman Ayoub - Head of MENA, DCAF

Rana Elias - Programme Manager, Cooperation, GICHD

Dr. Doaa Elnakhaka - Senior Researcher, Small Arms Survey

Download the PDF version of the event flyer