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The European Union's Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (CBRN) Centres of Excellence initiative is a key player in mitigating CBRN risks worldwide. Through its diverse projects, the initiative has successfully promoted cooperation and capacity building among countries to counter the threats posed by CBRN agents.
Regional Efforts
In Africa, the EU CBRN CoE initiative recently co-sponsored with DTRA the Africa Shield 2025 counter-proliferation workshop in Rabat, Morocco, which brought together nearly 100 participants from 13 African countries. The workshop focused on strengthening legal frameworks, enhancing interagency cooperation, and promoting regional and international partnerships to combat CBRN threats.
And Libya approved its CBRN National Action Plan, a significant move to enhance safety and security: Libya Takes Major Step Forward in CBRN Safety and Security with EU Support - Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Risk Mitigation
In Southeast Asia, the EU CBRN CoE is collaborating with Canada's Weapons Threat Reduction Program to operationalize the ASEAN Leaders' Declaration on Biosafety and Biosecurity. Workshops in Kuala Lumpur and Vientiane have resulted in the finalization of key operational frameworks to enhance regional preparedness for health emergencies, including pandemics and bioterrorism threats.
The EU CBRN CoE initiative has conducted a table-top exercise in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, to promote close coordination and refine multi-agency emergency responses to CBRN risks in Central Asia. The exercise tested complex, real-world scenarios, including managing hazardous incidents during major public events and addressing the growing importance of crisis communication and debunking disinformation. (FIELD EXERCISES ON CBRN SAFETY LAUNCHED IN SAMARKAND)
Lastly, in September, a regional CBRN risk assessment workshop was held in Kuwait City to strengthen cooperation between the GCC Emergency Management Center and the EU CBRN Centres of Excellence Initiative. Representatives from all six GCC states collaborated to address regional CBRN threats through a multidisciplinary approach. The workshop emphasized collaboration with international organizations and the use of modern technologies, such as AI, to enhance CBRN preparedness and response.
Strengthening Export Controls of Dual-use Goods
The EU CBRN CoE initiative is also actively engaged in supporting the EU P2P Export Control Programme for Dual-use Goods by providing, through its networks, an interface to inter-agency CBRN national teams, critical to strengthen trade management systems for dual-use goods and technologies globally. The EU P2P Programme has delivered regional conferences in Panama and in the Kyrgyz Republic promoting effective export controls of strategic goods. Furthermore, the EU P2P is also organizing, on a regular basis, online information sharing seminars on new updates to the EU Control Lists of Dual-Use Items. (Panama Hosts Regional Conference on Strategic Trade Controls of Dual-Use Items | EEAS)
Last July, the EU brought together 46 participants from 41 countries in Copenhagen for the 11th EU P2P Summer University. Through intensive training and a diploma from the University of Liège, officials and security experts strengthened their skills to prevent the misuse of dual-use goods. The event highlighted how strategic trade management secure trading relationships, not restrictions. By promoting global cooperation and adaptable rules, the EU is helping shape a safer, more responsible world for trade and peace.
Advancing global awareness in strengthening biosecurity and combating disinformation
During the Sixth Working Group Session of the Biological Weapon Convention in August, the EU sponsored two impactful side events. The first focused on "Biosecurity Narratives Used in Information Manipulation and Disinformation Campaigns Worldwide," presenting the EU's strategy for countering Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference (FIMI), with tools for detection and response and shared findings from the GP Counter CBRN Disinformation Initiative. The second event highlighted Project 81 (BIOSEC), demonstrating how Cambodia and Lao PDR have successfully enhanced biosecurity in Southeast Asia.
Pilot Projects
The pilot projects in Moldova, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, and North Macedonia aim to enhance CBRN crime management by training prosecutors, investigators, judges, and instructors. They focus on building capacity through comprehensive courses, integrating CBRN modules into national training, and regional training in legal frameworks and interagency collaboration, supported by practical exercises. (Strengthening CBRN Criminal Justice in the Western Balkans: A New EU-Funded Initiative | UNICRI: United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute)
Looking Ahead
These projects demonstrate the EU CBRN CoE initiative's commitment to mitigating CBRN risks globally, promoting cooperation, and building capacities among countries to counter CBRN threats. By fostering dialogue, collaboration, and sharing of best practices, the initiative aims to create a safer and more secure world for all. Upcoming events, such as the BACAC Conference in Almaty, Kazakhstan, will further facilitate this goal, focusing on future challenges of biosafety and biosecurity. (BACAC-ISTC SAC Conference)
Additionally, the initiative is funding a master's program to train African experts in managing and responding to CBRN threats, equipping them with a broad vision of CBRN risk management.
BIOSECURITY THREAT ASSESSMENT IN LATIN AMERICA: CICTE/OAS AND UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND LAUNCHED NEW RESEARCH PUBLICATIONS
While the level of terrorist threats to biosecurity in Latin America remains relatively low, implementing internal measures and national biosafety and biosecurity regulations in laboratories and research centers is crucial. This is an essential step to prevent both intentional and unintentional biological accidents, mitigate risks, and prepare adequate responses in the event of an accident. Despite the experiences of the H1N1 epidemic in 2009 and the more recent COVID-19 pandemic, the region has shown vulnerability to biological threats.
The project titled "Strengthening Biosafety and Biosecurity in Latin America in line with Resolution 1540," conducted over the past years by the Inter-American Committee against Terrorism of the Organization of American States (CICTE/OAS) with the support of the European Union, aimed to lay the foundations for a stronger biosafety culture. The project also sought to create a Latin American network of expertise and strengthen biosafety and biosecurity standards and measures across the region.
In the context of the project, CICTE/OAS collaborated with the National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism (START) at the University of Maryland. This collaboration resulted in the development of two free online courses in Spanish for laboratory personnel and, more recently, a series of publications showcasing the findings and results of a regional survey of potential biosecurity threats in Latin America.
This two-pronged effort included a comprehensive biosecurity threat assessment of the Central and South American region and four country-level threat assessments for Chile, Colombia, Dominican Republic and Panama. These texts, in Spanish and English, provide a high-level assessment of the region for policy-focused individuals and those responsible for working in or managing the activities of laboratories, reviewing the current situation and assessing future challenges.
By way of background, a 2013 initial publication issued in Spanish, covered the scope and interrelationship of various biosafety and biosecurity concepts, existing international obligations to biosecurity through the Biological Weapons Convention (BWC) and UN Security Council Resolution 1540, the application of biosecurity across different facility types, and biosecurity risks such as proliferation, bioterrorism, agroterrorism, and bio-crime. Additionally, the publication discusses the five pillars and mechanisms of biosecurity and their application in the region.
The four countries featured in these studies have demonstrated a strong commitment to bio-risk reduction at all levels of the public and private sectors in creating safer environments. CICTE/OAS has facilitated cooperation within various funded programs, including peer review exercises and sub-regional and national workshops on biosafety and biosecurity. These reports aim to contribute to further strengthening controls and developing safer activities in handling biological agents to reduce security risks.
It is expected that these works will serve as effective tools for other countries in the region moving in a similar direction, aiding them in consolidating regulatory and control mechanisms in accordance with established international standards. CICTE/OAS expresses gratitude to the experts who participated in the project, sharing their knowledge and experiences, as well as the national authorities of all the involved countries for their trust, solid commitment, and ongoing work in strengthening compliance with international obligations.
Through these publications, CICTE/OAS reaffirms its traditional institutional support for the international disarmament and non-proliferation regime. The organization continues to express its willingness to collaborate in efforts aimed at ensuring greater regional security from multiple perspectives for all countries in the Americas.
The publications can be found and downloaded here: https://www.oas.org/ext/es/seguridad/unscr1540
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The European Union's Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (CBRN) Centres of Excellence initiative is a key player in mitigating CBRN risks worldwide. Through its diverse projects, the initiative has successfully promoted cooperation and capacity building among countries to counter the threats posed by CBRN agents.
Regional Efforts
In Africa, the EU CBRN CoE initiative recently co-sponsored with DTRA the Africa Shield 2025 counter-proliferation workshop in Rabat, Morocco, which brought together nearly 100 participants from 13 African countries. The workshop focused on strengthening legal frameworks, enhancing interagency cooperation, and promoting regional and international partnerships to combat CBRN threats.
Additionally, the initiative is funding a master's program to train African experts in managing and responding to CBRN threats, equipping them with a broad vision of CBRN risk management.
EU P2P Summer University 2025 Copenhagen
And Libya approved its CBRN National Action Plan, a significant move to enhance safety and security: Libya Takes Major Step Forward in CBRN Safety and Security with EU Support - Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Risk Mitigation
In Southeast Asia, the EU CBRN CoE is collaborating with Canada's Weapons Threat Reduction Program to operationalize the ASEAN Leaders' Declaration on Biosafety and Biosecurity. Workshops in Kuala Lumpur and Vientiane have resulted in the finalization of key operational frameworks to enhance regional preparedness for health emergencies, including pandemics and bioterrorism threats.
The EU CBRN CoE initiative has conducted a table-top exercise in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, to promote close coordination and refine multi-agency emergency responses to CBRN risks in Central Asia. The exercise tested complex, real-world scenarios, including managing hazardous incidents during major public events and addressing the growing importance of crisis communication and debunking disinformation. (FIELD EXERCISES ON CBRN SAFETY LAUNCHED IN SAMARKAND)
Lastly, in September, a regional CBRN risk assessment workshop was held in Kuwait City to strengthen cooperation between the GCC Emergency Management Center and the EU CBRN Centres of Excellence Initiative. Representatives from all six GCC states collaborated to address regional CBRN threats through a multidisciplinary approach. The workshop emphasized collaboration with international organizations and the use of modern technologies, such as AI, to enhance CBRN preparedness and response.
Strengthening Export Controls of Dual-use Goods
The EU CBRN CoE initiative is also actively engaged in supporting the EU P2P Export Control Programme for Dual-use Goods by providing, through its networks, an interface to inter-agency CBRN national teams, critical to strengthen trade management systems for dual-use goods and technologies globally. The EU P2P Programme has delivered regional conferences in Panama and in the Kyrgyz Republic promoting effective export controls of strategic goods. Furthermore, the EU P2P is also organizing, on a regular basis, online information sharing seminars on new updates to the EU Control Lists of Dual-Use Items. (Panama Hosts Regional Conference on Strategic Trade Controls of Dual-Use Items | EEAS)
Last July, the EU brought together 46 participants from 41 countries in Copenhagen for the 11th EU P2P Summer University. Through intensive training and a diploma from the University of Liège, officials and security experts strengthened their skills to prevent the misuse of dual-use goods. The event highlighted how strategic trade management secure trading relationships, not restrictions. By promoting global cooperation and adaptable rules, the EU is helping shape a safer, more responsible world for trade and peace.
Advancing global awareness in strengthening biosecurity and combating disinformation
During the Sixth Working Group Session of the Biological Weapon Convention in August, the EU sponsored two impactful side events. The first focused on "Biosecurity Narratives Used in Information Manipulation and Disinformation Campaigns Worldwide," presenting the EU's strategy for countering Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference (FIMI), with tools for detection and response and shared findings from the GP Counter CBRN Disinformation Initiative. The second event highlighted Project 81 (BIOSEC), demonstrating how Cambodia and Lao PDR have successfully enhanced biosecurity in Southeast Asia.
Pilot Projects
The pilot projects in Moldova, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, and North Macedonia aim to enhance CBRN crime management by training prosecutors, investigators, judges, and instructors. They focus on building capacity through comprehensive courses, integrating CBRN modules into national training, and regional training in legal frameworks and interagency collaboration, supported by practical exercises. (Strengthening CBRN Criminal Justice in the Western Balkans: A New EU-Funded Initiative | UNICRI: United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute)
Looking Ahead
These projects demonstrate the EU CBRN CoE initiative's commitment to mitigating CBRN risks globally, promoting cooperation, and building capacities among countries to counter CBRN threats. By fostering dialogue, collaboration, and sharing of best practices, the initiative aims to create a safer and more secure world for all. Upcoming events, such as the BACAC Conference in Almaty, Kazakhstan, will further facilitate this goal, focusing on future challenges of biosafety and biosecurity. (BACAC-ISTC SAC Conference)
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One of the main focus of the EU-funded project is delivering in-person workshops. In the last six months, OAS/CICTE carried out seven face-to-face training courses for laboratory personnel and scientists from the live science fields. These workshops were designed to increase awareness of bio-risks and to strengthen knowledge on the challenges concerning biological safety and security. These courses took place, respectively, in Asuncion (Paraguay) from 17 to 21 April, Panama City (Panama) from 5 to 9 June, Santo Domingo (Dominican Republic) from 17 to 21 July, Bogotá (Colombia) from 24 to 28 July, Buenos Aires (Argentina) from 7 to 11 August, Montevideo (Uruguay) from 8 to 11 August, and Santiago (Chile) from 4 to 8 September. On average, some 30 participants from public or private institutions and research centers attended each of these courses.
Training in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, July 17-21, 2023 Professionals from: 12 laboratories, 7 hospitals, 4 health government agencies and 11 academia
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EU P2P Summer University 2025 Copenhagen
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