Funded by the European Union
High-level Side Event on CBRN Risk Mitigation in the context of Combatting Terrorism
71st Session of the United Nations General Assembly
29 September 2016 - 3:00 p.m – 6:00 p.m.
Conference Room 8 - United Nations Headquarters, New York
The UN Group of Friends of CBRN Risk Mitigation and Security Governance and the United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute (UNICRI) are organizing on the 29 September 2016 the High-level Side Event of the United Nations General Assembly entitled “CBRN Risk Mitigation in the context of Combatting Terrorism”.
The threats posed by chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) materials and weapons are at the top of the international security agenda and is becoming increasingly evident that an effective mitigation strategy requires a very high level of cooperation and coordination both between different national agencies and among countries, and international and regional organizations.
The Side event aims to enhance awareness of the current and possible future CBRN threats, including those related to terrorism. Technological developments in particular will be taken into account. The debate will focus on improving global capacity to prevent, detect, and respond to CBRN threats by strengthening the procedures and interoperability of relevant international mechanisms.
The Side event will, in this context, showcase how the best practices developed by the European Union CBRN Risk Mitigation Centres of Excellence Initiative, as promoted and enhanced by the United Nations Group of Friends of CBRN Risk Mitigation and Security Governance, can serve as a model for adopting best practices in other areas of security governance.
Funded by the European Commission and implemented by UNICRI and the Joint Research Centre of the European Commission, the Initiative has established a framework for cooperation and coordination across all levels of government and amongst international partners, such as IAEA, OPCW, BWC ISU, 1540 Committee, WHO and other relevant actors. The Initiative facilitates regional cooperation to enhance CBRN capabilities and currently involves 55 countries in 8 regions of the world, namely: the African Atlantic Façade; Central Asia; Eastern and Central Africa; the Gulf Cooperation Countries; the Middle East; North Africa and Sahel; South East Asia; and South East and Eastern Europe.
The UN Group of Friends of CBRN Risk Mitigation and Security Governance that contributes to the Side event, was established by the Governments of Georgia, the Kingdom of Morocco and the Republic of the Philippines with aim to address CBRN related topics at the United Nations. The Group is a consultation and dialogue forum aimed at integrating the CBRN component in the international security architecture, sensitizing states on the importance of mitigating CBRN risks, and foster regional cooperation on CBRN challenges.