Le Bureau Régional de la Façade Atlantique Africaine est établi au Royaume du Maroc auprès du Ministère de l'Intérieur du Royaume du Maroc et sa Direction Générale de la Protection Civile.
Le Bureau Régional joue un rôle majeur en aidant à la réalisation des objectifs de l'Initiative des Centres d’Excellence de l’UE pour la réduction des risques NRBC en assurant une coopération et une coordination étroites avec les dix pays partenaires de la région. Le Bureau Régional offre également un soutien avec l'engagement des partenaires techniques régionaux et internationaux, des donateurs potentiels et d'autres parties prenantes dans le domaine de l'atténuation des risques NRBC. Il contribue à l’appropriation au niveau local et, ainsi, à une plus grande durabilité du réseau des Centres d'Excellence.
Currently, the EU CBRN CoE initiative support to CBRN risk mitigation in the African Atlantic Façade region comprises the ten following partner countries: Benin, Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Gabon, Liberia, Mauritania, Morocco, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Togo.
- Management of chemical and biological waste
- Food Safety and Security
- Management of epidemics
- Support National Focal Points in the implementation of the Initiative in their countries
- Support the establishment and the institutionalisation of National Teams
- Support Partner Countries to develop National CBRN Action Plans and a Regional CBRN Action Plan
- Support Partner Countries to develop regional project proposals
- Collect information and assist in the monitoring of CBRN CoE projects
- Facilitate regional cooperation through organising regional Round-Table Meetings for the National CBRN Focal Points and experts
- Enhance the ownership of the Initiative by Partner Countries through the engagement of local experts and institutions
- Outreach and coordination with other international organisations and donors
25 projects have been implemented in the region, of which the current 2 are ongoing:
- P95 SAFETIC Safe Transportation and Installations of Chemicals
- P86 MANA African CBRNE Master Programme
- Since 2021 implementation of 2 editions of the Master Programme (1 completed; 1 ongoing); 50 students involved from 8 countries. The expansion of the Master Programme is foreseen with the involvement of countries from different regions, which will include the 1st edition for English speaking countries.
In addition to the efforts for the development of the CBRN National Action Plan, countries of the African Atlantic Façade are currently engaged in the process of developing the Regional CBRN Action Plan.
Cooperation with the main stakeholders at international (UNEP, GICNT, IAEA, UN Country Teams, OPCW, UNDP, UNODA, UNSC 1540 Committee, BWC-ISU), regional (EU Delegations, African Union) and national level, as well as with other donors (embassies) and initiatives.
Latest news from the African Atlantic Façade
During the first meeting under the 2024 Italian Presidency of the G7 Global Partnership Against the Spread of Weapons and Materials of Mass Destruction (the Global Partnership), Heads of Secretariat spoke with one voice on behalf of 64 Partner Countries
- CoE Region
- AAF - African Atlantic Façade
- CA - Central Asia
- ECA - Eastern and Central Africa
- GCC - Gulf Cooperation Council Countries
- MIE - Middle East
- NAS - North Africa and Sahel
- SEA - Southeast Asia
- SEEE - South East and Eastern Europe
Around 50 countries across 10 regions will participate in the three-year EU-funded projects, promoting safe and secure international trade of goods with civilian and military applications
- CoE Region
- AAF - African Atlantic Façade
- CA - Central Asia
- ECA - Eastern and Central Africa
- GCC - Gulf Cooperation Council Countries
- MIE - Middle East
- NAS - North Africa and Sahel
- SEA - Southeast Asia
- SEEE - South East and Eastern Europe
New African Centre for Resilience to Epidemics (CARE), at the Pasteur Institute in Dakar, will be a benchmark in terms of biosafety and biosecurity, with expertise in technologies and training
- CoE Region
- AAF - African Atlantic Façade
- ECA - Eastern and Central Africa
- NAS - North Africa and Sahel