Funded by the European Union
The EU CBRN CoE supports the GCC Region in reinforcing the capabilities to tackle Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Risks.
The Gulf Cooperation Council Emergency Management Center (GCC EMC) in Kuwait hosted a workshop on Chemical and Biological Threats, delivered by EU CBRN experts under the frameworks of the European Union's Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Centres of Excellence (EU CBRN CoE) Initiative for the GCC countries.
The workshop, held in Kuwait City, was attended by national experts from all of the GCC countries and from a wide range of authorities such as civil defence, public health and first responders. The event was also attended by representatives of the US Armed Forces CBRN Unit, stationed in Kuwait and serving the region.
The workshop marked the first joint activity between the EU CBRN CoE Initiative for the GCC region, hosted in Abu Dhabi by the UAE Ministry of Interior, and the GCC EMC and aims to develop a long-term partnership for the effective planning and coordination for CBRN risk mitigation activities in the region. The meeting was opened by the Deputy Director of the GCC EMC, a representative of the EU Delegation to Saudi Arabia covering the GCC region and the GCC Regional Coordinator from the United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute (UNICRI).
The workshop included a theoretical perspective on CBRN risks in the GCC region and a practical exercise to test and validate partner countries’ capabilities. The participants expressed their satisfaction and their interest in deepening the cooperation with the EU CBRN CoE Initiative.
Background
The EU CBRN CoE is a worldwide initiative jointly implemented with the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre (JRC) and the United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute (UNICRI).
The Initiative aims to mitigate CBRN risks of criminal, accidental or natural origin by promoting a coherent policy, improving coordination and preparedness at national and regional levels and by offering a comprehensive approach covering legal, scientific, enforcement and technical issues.
The Initiative, implemented in cooperation with the United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute (UNICRI), involves more than 61 countries and has been launched in 8 different regions of the world, namely: African Atlantic Façade; Central Asia; Eastern and Central Africa; Gulf Cooperation Council Countries; Middle East; North Africa; South East Asia; South East Europe, Southern Caucasus, Moldova and Ukraine. Each of these regions has a functioning Secretariat. The Regional Secretariats ensure cooperation and coordination with partner countries and are responsible for supporting them with the identification of needs, the formulation of regional project proposals, the development of national action plans and the implementation of the projects.
As a result of the on-going activities of EU CBRN CoE initiative, over 70 projects – addressing countries’ needs - were launched since 2011.
Further information can be obtained on the CBRN CoE web portal:http://www.cbrn-coe.eu