On 1 March 2023, representatives from ministries, national agencies and institutions representing relevant communities involved in chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear risk mitigation (including law enforcement officers, first responders, borders officials, health professionals and crisis teams), got together to discuss the development of the National Action Plan to mitigate CBRN risks, as part of the objectives supported by the European Union (EU) Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) Risk Mitigation Centres of Excellence (CoE) Initiative. The meeting aimed at rejuvenating the CBRN needs assessment and at prioritising the work initiated in 2020.
The event was opened by Mr. Medetbek Mametov, Deputy Minister of Natural Resources, Ecology and Technical Supervision of the Kyrgyz Republic, who reiterated his country’s engagement in the EU CBRN Centres of Excellence Initiative to mitigate CBRN risks.
Mr. Raimonds Vingris, Deputy Head of Mission of the EU Delegation to the Kyrgyz Republic, congratulated the Government for the advancements made to-date in developing this important National Action Plan and highlighted the continued support by the EU in this domain.
Mr. Gulyamov, Head of the Regional Secretariat for Central Asia of the EU CBRN Centres of Excellence Initiative, pointed out that such strategic effort at the national level can further enhance the regional action planning processes.
During the meeting, the National CBRN Team of the Kyrgyz Republic finalized the CBRN needs assessment and prioritization of actions and developed a roadmap to finalize the development of the National Action Plan on CBRN risk mitigation.
On 2 March 2023, the EU CBRN CoE Regional Secretariat for Central Asia held a meeting with the EU Delegation to the Kyrgyz Republic to discuss areas of cooperation in CBRN risk mitigation in the Kyrgyz Republic and in the Central Asian region, focusing on structured and extended support to CBRN-related policy development, capacity building and exchange of best practices. The meeting, hosted by H.E. Ambassador Marilyn Josefson, served as an opportunity to share important insights to strengthen CBRN related work in the Kyrgyz Republic and beyond.
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 that decide which information must be included in the NAP and how to address their priorities.
Background information
The EU CBRN CoE Initiative is a global Initiative funded and implemented by the European Union as part of its goal to promote peace, stability and conflict prevention.
The aim of the Initiative is to mitigate risks and strengthen an all-hazards security governance in Partner Countries of the EU following a voluntary and demand-driven approach. The EU support is provided to implement a wide range of CBRN risk mitigation activities including needs and risk assessments, national and regional action plans, capacity building activities, legal framework reviews, table top and real time (including cross-border) field exercises, inter-regional exchange of best practices and lessons learnt.
Funded and implemented through the Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument (NDICI) – Global Europe, the Initiative is led by the European Commission’s Service for Foreign Policy Instruments (FPI), in close coordination with the European External Action Service (EEAS). The European Commission's Joint Research Centre (JRC) provides technical support to Partner Countries, while the United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute (UNICRI) ensures a coherent and effective national, regional and international cooperation. Other relevant International and/or Regional Organisations and experts also contribute to the Initiative, which represents the EU’s largest civilian external security programme. The initiative involves 64 countries in eight regions across the world.
