Regional Secretariat Gulf Cooperation Council Countries The CBRN CoE Regional Secretariat for the Gulf Cooperation Council region is located in Abu Dhabi at the Ministry of Interior of the United Arab Emirates. The Secretariat plays a major role in helping achieve the objectives of the CBRN CoE through ensuring a good level of cooperation and coordination among the five Partner Countries. The Regional Secretariat also provides support with the engagement of regional and international technical partners, potential donors and other stakeholders in the area of CBRN risk mitigation. It contributes to build local ownership and to a greater sustainability of the CBRN CoE network.
- Border control and monitoring
- Biosafety
- Chemical safety and security
- CBRN Medical Preparedness and Response
- Cross-Border Exercises
- Support Partner Countries in identifying CBRN Risk Mitigation needs and priorities.
- Develop regional and sub-regional project proposals to address the needs of Partner Countries.
- Support Partner Countries in the establishment and the institutionalisation of CBRN National Response Teams.
- Support Partner countries in the development of CBRN capability building structures, activities, and cross-border exercises.
- Enhance ownership for CBRN Risk Mitigation by Partner Countries in the region.
- Facilitate the provision of CBRN technical assistance to Partner Countries.
- Organize Round Table Meetings to facilitate regional coordination and exchange of information between Partner Countries.
- Reinforce regional cooperation in the GCC, including a reinforced coordination with the GCC Emergency Management Centre.
- Reach out and coordinate with international organisations and donors as required.
- The first inter-Arab Nuclear Detection and Response Exercise “FALCON” was held in Abu Dhabi in February 2016 and gathered representatives and experts from the GCC, Middle East and North Africa regions, as well as international organisations such as the IAEA, the WCO and the Global Initiative to Combat Nuclear Terrorism (GICNT).
- The first Joint Regional Workshop between the EU CBRN CoE Initiative for the GCC region and the Gulf Cooperation Council Emergency Management Center (GCC EMC) was conducted in 2018 in Kuwait on CBRN Threats.
- Several virtual training sessions were held during 2020 and 2021 to enhance regional capacities in all CBRN fields, particularly in radiological safety and security, as well as in chemical and biological substances risk mitigation.
- 10 International Expert Gatherings focusing on the preparedness to a second wave of the pandemic were organized by UAE in partnership with the EU CBRN CoE In 2020.
- A new CBRN Hub was established in UAE in collaboration between the GCC Regional Secretariat, the Knowledge Group of Abu Dhabi University, EU-JRC, NATO, Interpol to serve as a platform for future training on CBRN for the UAE, the GCC Region and Internationally.
- In October 2021, the GCC Regional Secretariat participated in the INTERPOL Biosecurity Initiative Enhancing Biological Incident Prevention table-top exercise in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
- 15 National Focal Points Round-Table Meetings were held, including in Abu Dhabi, Kuwait City, and Brussels.
- 5 Heads of Regional Secretariats Meetings held at the EC Headquarters and virtually between 2014 and 2022.
- 1 CBRN CoE Academy held in Turin, Italy (2022).
Latest news from Gulf Cooperation Countries
Running for three years and a half, the EU-funded project will support the implementation of CBRN table top, field exercises, simulations, and training to mitigate related risks across all EU CBRN CoE network
- 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
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