European Union Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) Centres of Excellence Risk Mitigation Initiative
The third, and last, in a series of workshops focused on the development of a Lao PDR CBRN National Action Plan (NAP) is being held from 5-7 October 2016 in Vientiane. The three-day workshop, which represents one of the NAP final steps, is part of the European Union (EU) Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) Risk Mitigation Centres of Excellence Initiative and gathered together representatives from governmental entities, as well as epresentatives from the European Union and the United Nations.
The event was opened by Mr. Chittaphong Ackhavong, Deputy Director General of the Department of Planning and Cooperation of the Ministry of Science and Technology, who reiterated the engagement of Lao PDR in the EU CBRN Centres of Excellence Initiative to mitigate CBRN risks. During the opening, the representative of the Delegation of the European Union in Lao PDR, Mr. Kalakate Xaythanith, congratulated the government for the advancements made in developing this important National Action Plan and highlighted the continued support by the EU in this domain. The United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute (UNICRI) Regional Coordinator for South East Asia, Mr. Harro Wittermans, underlined the potential of the document produced during the series of workshops in guiding the allocation of available resources and in engaging regional and international partners to jointly address CBRN risks.
The main objective of this workshop is for the National CBRN Team, national experts and international experts from UNICRI and the Joint Research Centre (JRC) of the European Commission to conduct a final review of the National Action Plan.
The overall purpose of the National Action Plan is to articulate a national vision for CBRN risk mitigation and to identify priorities for building capacity in this area. It also facilitates the identification and implementation of projects and ensures that capacity building is part of a coordinated and sustainable approach. Its development is based on a voluntary and bottom-up approach entirely led by countries who decide which information to include in the NAP and how it will be used.
The EU CBRN CoE Risk Mitigation Initiative is funded by the European Union and jointly implemented by the United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute (UNICRI) and the European Commission Joint Research Centre (JRC). The initiative is developed with the technical support of relevant international and regional organizations, the EU Member States and other stakeholders, through coherent and effective cooperation at the national, regional and international level. The initiative involves 55 partner countries in 8 regions of the world.
For more information:
CBRN Centres of Excellence website:
http://www.cbrn-coe.eu/
European Commission, Instrument contributing to Stability and Peace website (see section about "Stable Situations"):
http://ec.europa.eu/europeaid/node/7350