The United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute (UNICRI) and the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT), convened a regional tabletop exercise (TTX) in Tashkent aimed at strengthening Central Asia’s ability to counter the trafficking and potential terrorist use of radiological and nuclear (RN) materials. The three-day exercise held in Tashkent, Uzbekistan from 10 to 12 December 2025, brought together national authorities from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan to enhance practical cooperation, intelligence-sharing mechanisms, and the application of the International Convention for the Suppression of Acts of Nuclear Terrorism (ICSANT).
Designed as a realistic, scenario-based simulation, the exercise challenged participants to respond to a complex radiological incident unfolding across borders. Each national team received distinct, time-sensitive information, requiring close collaboration to analyse developments, exchange intelligence and align operational responses. The scenario highlighted how RN trafficking threats transcend national boundaries and underscored the critical importance of timely communication and coordinated action among regional partners.
The exercise provided a dedicated platform for security services, law enforcement agencies, nuclear regulators and prosecutors to test national procedures and assess readiness to prevent, detect and respond to incidents involving radiological and nuclear materials. Particular emphasis was placed on interagency coordination and the practical application of international legal frameworks in countering nuclear terrorism, including ICSANT. The event benefitted from expert contributions from the European Union CBRN Risk Mitigation Centres of Excellence Initiative, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), and the European Union’s Joint Research Centre.
Building on ongoing capacity-building efforts across Central Asia, the exercise demonstrated how targeted training and regional partnerships can significantly strengthen collective preparedness and resilience against RN trafficking and nuclear terrorism threats.
Background
The tabletop exercise was conducted within the framework of the UNICRI project “CONTACT – Central Asia: Enhancing Capacities to Prevent the Trafficking of Radiological and Nuclear Material in the Central Asia Region”, funded by the Norwegian Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority (DSA) and the European Union–United Nations joint project “Supporting Universalization and Effective Implementation of the International Convention for the Suppression of Acts of Nuclear Terrorism (ICSANT)”, funded by the European Union and jointly implemented by the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT) and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).
The CONTACT–Central Asia initiative, launched in late 2023 and implemented by UNICRI with support from the Norwegian Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority (DSA), aims to build sustainable capacity among security and law enforcement officials in Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan to prevent and combat RN trafficking, enhance interagency cooperation, and promote the exchange of information on related incidents.