EU launches project to enhance CBRN critical infrastructure protection and security in South East and Eastern Europe and Central Asia

Major industrial accidents of the past, such as the Chernobyl Nuclear Disaster (Ukraine, 1986), the Bhopal Gas Tragedy (India, 1984), or the Beirut Explosion (Lebanon, 2020), demonstrate the major, long-term public health, environmental and economic risks of such incidents at CBRN facilities. Additionally, the risk of similar disastrous incidents is increasing nowadays as conflicts, rogue states, criminal enterprises and terrorist groups put CBRN facilities under attack, which can be used for terroristic or extortion purposes.

To ensure minimization of consequences of attacks and breaches at such facilities, it essential to strengthen and enhance protection and security measures for national CBRN critical infrastructure facilities and practices worldwide.

6-year project, 16 partner countries

As part of its mission to advance CBRN risk mitigation and strengthen security and safety worldwide, the European Union has launched a new project that will support the enhancement of CBRN critical infrastructure protection and security in South East and Eastern Europe, Central Asia, and Middle East regions.

Established in the context of the EU CBRN CoE Initiative, the project will be active for about six years (2023 – 2028) across 19 participating countries that are member the EU CBRN CoE Regional Secretariats for South East and Eastern Europe, Central Asia, and Middle East regions, respectively:

• Central Asia: Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan
• South East and Eastern Europe: Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, Ukraine
• Middle East: Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon

Funded by the European Union, the project will be implemented by the International Science and Technology Center (ISTC). Based in Kazakhstan, the ISTC supports the promotion of a culture of safety and security, and responsible science by advancing civilian science and technology partnerships addressing CBRN risks.

What objectives will the project support?

The project ‘CBRN Critical Infrastructure Protection and Security in South East and Eastern Europe and Central Asia regions’ will support the achievement of the following objectives, among others:

1. Strengthen horizontal coordination between different state organisations responsible for protection and security of CBRN facilities
2. Enhance risk assessment of CBRN Critical Infrastructure facilities
3. Enhance physical and (cyber)security capabilities/capacities
4. Stimulate exchange of best practices and networking

Visit the project’s page for a complete overview of its context, scope, or major activities.

EU CBRN Risk Mitigation: Building a safer and more secure world

The European Union funds the project ‘Enhance CBRN Critical Infrastructure Protection and Security in South East and Eastern Europe and Central Asia regions’ within the framework of the European Union Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear Risk Mitigation Centres of Excellence EU CBRN CoE. Supported through the NDICI – Global Europe instrument, the Initiative represents the EU’s largest civilian external security programme.

Funded and implemented by the European Union, with the support of UNICRI, the EU CBRN CoE is working to build a safer and more secure world.

The EU CBRN CoE brings together 64 Partner Countries across 8 regions that cooperate at regional and international level to strengthen CBRN risk mitigation and to promote a global culture of safety and security. Since the Initiative’s inception in 2010, more than 100 EU-funded projects have been implemented to support the mitigation of and preparedness to CBRN risks.

Visit the EU CBRN Risk Mitigation page to learn more about the EU CBRN CoE and other EU flagship initiatives strengthening CBRN safety and security worldwide.