Dear colleagues!
23.05.2025 the SEAL Centre was honoured to be invited on behalf of the Ambassador of Switzerland to Ukraine to a roundtable discussion on ‘Building a Responsible Private Security Industry in Ukraine and Beyond’, supported by the International Code of Conduct for Private Security Service Providers (ICoCA).
Established in 2013 and headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, ICoCA is the leading international organisation committed to ensuring responsible, transparent and accountable private security practices worldwide. As part of its mandate, ICoCA works with governments, security service providers and key stakeholders around the world to improve private security practices in line with international standards, including the 2010 International Code of Conduct for Private Security Service Providers. To date, eight governments, more than 160 PMSCs, some of which operate in Ukraine, nearly 60 civil society organisations and 79 observers, including multinationals, have joined ICoCA. The Government of Switzerland currently chairs the ICoCA Board of Directors.
Private security service providers continue to play an important role in high-risk and challenging environments around the world, including in Ukraine. By operating responsibly, respecting international norms and having an appropriate national legal and regulatory framework, private security providers can contribute to a safe and secure operating environment, while contributing to national and regional efforts towards stabilisation and economic development. The private security sector is a major employer in many countries and plays an important role in disarmament, demobilisation and reintegration (DDR) initiatives.
The following topics were discussed during the roundtable:
ICoCA's work and global efforts to improve standards in the legal private security industry;
Ukraine's membership in the ICoCA Government Sector;
Overview of current legislative initiatives in Ukraine to regulate the Ukrainian private security sector;
Capacity building and areas of cooperation in building an internationally recognised responsible private security sector in Ukraine.
The meeting was held under the Chatham House rules.