Top officials from the European Union, United Nations and the Republic of Uzbekistan launched the Central Asia Regional Secretariat of the Chemical, Biological Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) Risk Mitigation Centres of Excellence Initiative in Tashkent today.
The event is a part of a global initiative funded by the European Union and implemented by the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre (JRC) and United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute (UNICRI). The Initiative aims to mitigate chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) risks of criminal, accidental or natural origin by promoting improved and coordinated policies. It does so by sharing good practices, capabilities and guidelines and responding to the member states’ specific needs.
The Initiative involves more than 51 countries and has been launched in 8 different regions of the world: African Atlantic Façade; Central Asia; Eastern and Central Africa; Gulf Cooperation Council Countries; Middle East; North Africa and Sahel; South East Asia; South East and Eastern Europe.
In Central Asia, besides Uzbekistan, Afghanistan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan have joined the initiative. Eight targeted projects have already been implemented in the region within the initiative and partner countries are currently working on the development of further regional projects, needs assessment and CBRN National Action Plans for each country.
The Official Inauguration of the CBRN Center of Excellence took place within the premises of the State Inspection SanoatGeoKonTexNazorat. The event was hosted by Bakhtiyor Gulyamov, Head of SanoatGeoKonTexNazorat and Dilyor Khakimov, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs. The European Union was represented by Maciej Popowski, Deputy Secretary-General of the European External Action Service, and the United Nations Organization - by Dr. Cindy Smith, Director of the United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute (UNICRI).
The Regional Secretariats play a major role in the regions in ensuring that there is a good level of cooperation and coordination with partner countries through their National Focal Points and in facilitating the implementation of projects in the region. In addition, every six months, each Regional Secretariat organises a Round Table meeting for all National Focal Points in the region to coordinate activities, exchange views and opinions and to ensure the sustainability of the CBRN CoE network.
For more information:
- CBRN Centres of Excellence website: cbrn-coe.eu
- European Commission, Instrument contributing to Stability and Peace website (see section about "Stable Situations"): ec.europa.eu/europeaid/node/7350
- European Union Delegation to Uzbekistan: eeas.europa.eu/delegations/Uzbekistan or call 1201605