European Union Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear Centres of Excellence Risk Mitigation Initiative
EU and UN support Lao PDR in the preparation of the National Action Plan to mitigate chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear risks
The second workshop for the preparation of National Action Plan to mitigate Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) risks for Lao PDR took place on 3-4 May 2016. The two-day workshop, which was part of the European Union (EU) Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) Centres of Excellence (CoE) Risk Mitigation Initiative, was opened by representatives from the Ministry of Science and Technology (MoST) of Lao PDR, the Delegation of the European Union to Laos and the United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute (UNICRI).
The workshop was the second of a series of national workshops aimed at incorporating the national vision for risk mitigation into a National CBRN Action Plan and at identifying priorities for building capacity. Among the participants of the workshop were representatives from the Ministry of Agriculture and Forest, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, the Ministry of National Defence, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, the Ministry of Public Health, the Ministry of Public Security, the Ministry of Science and Technology and the National University of Laos. Their goal was to make another step towards incorporating separate efforts into one coherent approach aimed at strengthening national capacities for prevention, detection, preparedness and response to CBRN threats. The workshop in Lao PDR allowed for a review of the identified CBRN risks, capabilities, gaps and actions for capacity-building, and focused on priority actions. It also prepared the path for a better identification and implementation of projects focusing on capacity-building and promoting coordination and sustainability.
The EU CBRN CoE Risk Mitigation Initiative involves 53 countries in 8 regions of the world, is funded by the European Union and is jointly implemented by the United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute (UNICRI) and the European Commission Joint Research Centre (JRC). The initiative has been 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 EU CBRN CoE Risk Mitigation Initiative aims at strengthening regional security and safety by sharing good practices and capabilities, by developing guidelines, by identifying and deploying resources to respond to the needs identified by partner countries and by supporting the development of national CBRN policies.
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