UNICRI :: United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute

Funded by the European Union

European Union initiative in South East Asia to strengthen national CBRN legal framework

An international consortium will work with local chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear (CBRN) experts in Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia and the Philippines to improve national legislation to mitigate CBRN risks in the region.

The first technical assistance visit of the consortium under this European Union (EU) funded project will take place in November 2013. The €800,000 project, entitled “Prerequisite to strengthening CRBN national legal frameworks”, is part of the EU’s Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) Centres of Excellence (CoE) Initiative. Within the framework of the Initiative a Regional Secretariat has been established in Manila. This EU CBRN CoE Initiative seeks to develop national and regional capacity to address CBRN risks.

A national team of experts in each of the five South East Asian countries will work with the international consortium to strengthen and enhance the national legal system and contribute to compliance with international obligations in the chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear fields. The project involves an assessment phase, where data on the national legal framework addressing CBRN risk mitigation is collected and analysed. The need for new or amended legislation in the CBRN sectors will be discussed with each partner country. The national and international experts will then work together to draft a national work plan on legislation to address the needs identified. During the last phase of the project, each country will work towards drafting legislation for CBRN security and/or export controls or amend existing legislation as required.

The Verification Research, Training and Information Centre (VERTIC) is leading the international consortium with two technical partners, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and the Federal Office of Economics and Export Control (BAFA).

The EU CBRN Risk Mitigation CoE initiative aims to mitigate CBRN risks of criminal, accidental or natural origin by promoting a coherent policy, improving coordination and preparedness at national and regional levels and by offering a comprehensive approach covering legal, scientific, enforcement and technical issues. The initiative mobilizes national, regional and international resources to develop a coherent CBRN policy at all levels, thereby aiming to ensure an effective response. The initiative involves over 40 countries in 8 regions of the world and is jointly implemented by the EU Directorate General (DG) Development and Cooperation – EuropeAid (DEVCO), the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre (JRC), the European External Action Service (EEAS) and the United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute (UNICRI).

For further information, please contact: Ms Angela Woodward, Programme Director, VERTIC angela.woodwardvertic.org Ms Bilqees Esmail, Legal Officer, VERTIC bilqees.esmailvertic.org Tel: +44 20 7065 0880