Kyiv - Friday, January 22, 2021
On 19-21 January 2021, a UNICRI Team held a virtual meeting to discuss and consult with the Ukrainian authorities responsible for preventing the trafficking of radiological and nuclear (RN) material. The meeting was conducted within the framework of the project CONTACT – Enhancing capacities to prevent the trafficking of radiological and nuclear material in the Black Sea. The meeting was organized with the support of the International CBRN Risk Mitigation Research Center and the facilitation of the CBRN National Focal Points of the Republic of Ukraine, Mr. Vadym Ivko, from the Administration of the State Border Guards Service of Ukraine (SBGS), and Mr. Serhiy Mazur and Mr. Dimitri Fed from the Ukrainian International CBRN Risk Mitigation Research Center.
Over the course of the three days, the UNICRI experts met with relevant State authorities in charge of countering RN trafficking and discussed issues such as legal and regulatory framework; inter-agency coordination mechanisms; available assets (equipment, human resources and expertise); regional cooperation, as well as priorities and future actions. The first day of the mission was dedicated to plenary sessions where the various participating agencies had the opportunity to attend and present their roles, functions, needs and priorities in the field of countering trafficking of RN material. The second and third days were dedicated to conducting bilateral interviews with the relevant authorities to further explore and assess their capabilities, existing gaps and priority needs.
“The Assessment Mission on the illicit trafficking in RN materials was very fruitful. The three-day event was an excellent opportunity for the Ukrainian national stakeholders to discuss with our partners UNICRI’s achievements as well as the challenges faced in the implementation of the CBRN related activities”- Mr. Vadym Ivko, the Administration of the State Border Guards Service of Ukraine (SBGS).
“The Assessment Mission to Ukraine was very productive and has effectively achieved its objective of identifying the needs and priorities of our Ukrainian counterparts in the field of RN trafficking in preparation for an effective implementation of the CONTACT-Black Sea project activities. I would like to extend my gratitude to all the Ukrainian national agencies that participated in the meeting and to our Ukrainian National Focal Points Mr. Vadym Ivko, Mr. Serhiy Mazur and Mr. Dimitri Fed for their tireless efforts, cooperation and commitment throughout the planning phase of the project. UNICRI is very much looking forward to a close partnership with the Republic of Ukraine throughout the CONTACT Black Sea project and beyond”- Mr. Francesco Marelli, Head of Programme, CBRN Risk Mitigation and Security Governance.
The CONTACT – Black Sea Project aims at enhancing capacities of State security and law enforcement agencies to effectively prevent and counter the trafficking of RN material in Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine, as well as at increasing regional cooperation and exchange of information on RN trafficking investigations. The project is funded by the United Kingdom Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (UK BEIS); the Norwegian Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority (DSA); and the U.S. Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA).
