EU CBRN Risk Mitigation Centres of Excellence Initiative 4th Preparatory Heads of Secretariats Meeting
09-10 November 2021, UN Campus, Turin, Italy. European Union Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear Risk Mitigation Centres of Excellence
Heads of Secretariats 4th Preparatory Meeting.
Morning session/ Presentation of the "Achievements of the Regional Secretariats".
During this session, the Heads of Secretariats or their representatives presented the achievements of the Secretariats during the past year.
In the African Atlantic Façade, the Regional Secretariat successfully established the first African Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear and Explosives (CBRNE) Masters Program. After the successful conclusion of a six-month preliminary phase, the selected 25 students will meet in person on 24 January 2022 in Rabat, Morocco, for the official launch of the African CBRNE Masters Program.
In Central Asia, the CBRN family became stronger, with the addition of a new Partner Country – Kazakhstan – joining the EU CBRN CoE in December 2020. The Central Asia Regional Secretariat provided continuous support to Partner Countries in combating the COVID-19 crisis by establishing regular exchanges and delivering necessary equipment and supplies, including mobile labs.
The Gulf Cooperation Council Regional Secretariat launched the CBRN Training Hub and organized training sessions on Chemical, Radiological, and Nuclear Security. The GCC Secretariat also supported the development of strategies to tackle the COVID-19 crisis and has been developing an assessment tool to improve governance of Chemical and Biological risks tailored to the needs of Partner Countries.
The Middle East Regional Secretariat is currently organizing the ARZ CBRN Counter-terrorism Field Exercise scheduled to take place next month in Beirut, Lebanon, together with national and international stakeholders. The ARZ Exercise will test capabilities developed by Lebanon over the last several years in CBRN risk mitigation. The Head of Secretariat, Mr. Nasser bin Nasser, informed participants that he is leaving his position and the Secretariat will move to the Civil Defence office.
The North Africa and Sahel region organized a series of technical webinars related to COVID-19. The information shared during these webinars was then extended to the neighboring African Atlantic Façade and Eastern and Central Africa Regional Secretariats, allowing for broader information and experience-sharing diffusion.
Similarly, in Southeast Asia, the Regional Secretariat and Partner Countries strengthened regional cooperation and business continuity. A total of 17 webinars were delivered, sharing knowledge and experience on COVID-19. Over 1000 participants were trained during the events when in-person meetings were not possible.
The Southeast and Eastern Europe Regional Secretariat advanced their CBRN Regional Action Plan, which will guide the selection of new regional projects based on identified priorities. They also conducted four regional trainings to enhance CBRN Risk and Threat Assessment capabilities. With the support of the European Commission and UNICRI, the Secretariat is also developing a series of CBRN forensics guidebooks in cooperation with international partner organizations.
During the meeting, there will also be discussions on the implementation of the 2021 Interregional Roadmap and preparation of the 2022 Interregional Roadmap.
preparation of the 2022 Interregional Roadmap.
©UNICRI/Freya Morales
EU CBRN Risk Mitigation Centres of Excellence Initiative 4th Preparatory Heads of Secretariats Meeting
09-10 November 2021, UN Campus, Turin, Italy. European Union Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear Risk Mitigation Centres of Excellence
Heads of Secretariats 4th Preparatory Meeting.
Morning session/ Presentation of the "Achievements of the Regional Secretariats".
During this session, the Heads of Secretariats or their representatives presented the achievements of the Secretariats during the past year.
In the African Atlantic Façade, the Regional Secretariat successfully established the first African Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear and Explosives (CBRNE) Masters Program. After the successful conclusion of a six-month preliminary phase, the selected 25 students will meet in person on 24 January 2022 in Rabat, Morocco, for the official launch of the African CBRNE Masters Program.
In Central Asia, the CBRN family became stronger, with the addition of a new Partner Country – Kazakhstan – joining the EU CBRN CoE in December 2020. The Central Asia Regional Secretariat provided continuous support to Partner Countries in combating the COVID-19 crisis by establishing regular exchanges and delivering necessary equipment and supplies, including mobile labs.
The Gulf Cooperation Council Regional Secretariat launched the CBRN Training Hub and organized training sessions on Chemical, Radiological, and Nuclear Security. The GCC Secretariat also supported the development of strategies to tackle the COVID-19 crisis and has been developing an assessment tool to improve governance of Chemical and Biological risks tailored to the needs of Partner Countries.
The Middle East Regional Secretariat is currently organizing the ARZ CBRN Counter-terrorism Field Exercise scheduled to take place next month in Beirut, Lebanon, together with national and international stakeholders. The ARZ Exercise will test capabilities developed by Lebanon over the last several years in CBRN risk mitigation. The Head of Secretariat, Mr. Nasser bin Nasser, informed participants that he is leaving his position and the Secretariat will move to the Civil Defence office.
The North Africa and Sahel region organized a series of technical webinars related to COVID-19. The information shared during these webinars was then extended to the neighboring African Atlantic Façade and Eastern and Central Africa Regional Secretariats, allowing for broader information and experience-sharing diffusion.
Similarly, in Southeast Asia, the Regional Secretariat and Partner Countries strengthened regional cooperation and business continuity. A total of 17 webinars were delivered, sharing knowledge and experience on COVID-19. Over 1000 participants were trained during the events when in-person meetings were not possible.
The Southeast and Eastern Europe Regional Secretariat advanced their CBRN Regional Action Plan, which will guide the selection of new regional projects based on identified priorities. They also conducted four regional trainings to enhance CBRN Risk and Threat Assessment capabilities. With the support of the European Commission and UNICRI, the Secretariat is also developing a series of CBRN forensics guidebooks in cooperation with international partner organizations.
During the meeting, there will also be discussions on the implementation of the 2021 Interregional Roadmap and preparation of the 2022 Interregional Roadmap.
preparation of the 2022 Interregional Roadmap.
©UNICRI/Freya Morales