PROJECT 094: On-site Technical Assistance to the EU CBRN Centres of Excellence Regional Secretariats

Context

CBRN threats are continuously evolving and require adapted and prompt responses. Countries shall develop their capacity to identify potential risks and increase their level of preparedness. 

The EU is actively promoting an trans-regional/global vision that should determine common themes, enhance coordination, foster harmonisation of best practices, and improve overall effectiveness.

Overall objective

To address specific global and trans-regional threats to peace, international security, and stability, through enhancing governance and cooperation on CBRN risk prevention, detection, and mitigation.

Specific objective

• To improve the detection of and mitigation against risks related to CBRN materials or agents and risks related to installations or sites through the EU CBRN Centres of Excellence (CoE) Initiative and associated actions.

Activities

• Strengthen the governance of CBRN risks at national level in the CoE Partner Countries.
• Support technically cooperation at regional level in the 8 Regional Secretariats.
• Enhance inter-regional cooperation by developing and disseminating guidelines, operational tools, and procedures.
• Establish and maintain a pool of national and international CBRN experts.
• Support the implementation of training courses, tabletop and field exercises implemented at national, regional and international levels in close cooperation with the EU services and international organisations.
• Provide local technical assistance within the implementation of CoE projects. 

Expected results

• Effective governance and cooperation in and between the targeted CoE regions on CBRN risk prevention, detection, and mitigation.
• Improved detection of and mitigation against risks related to CBRN materials or agents and risks related to installations or sites in Partner Countries (PCs).

Achievements

• Supported up to 35 CBRN Needs Assessment and National Action Plan (NAP) Workshops, around 45 National Team (NT) Meetings, provided technical guidance to the elaboration and review of CBRN Regional Action Plans (RAP) for 3 CoE partner regions and organised dozens of technical workshops, capacity-building training courses, tabletop and field exercises, including the ARZ 2023 CBRN counterterrorism exercise in Lebanon and Tanzania CBRN risk mitigation response exercise.
• The African Atlantic Façade (AAF) has significantly progressed in improving the institutional and legislative framework for the management and mitigation of CBRN risks, with upgrades in PCs’ capabilities, particularly in hazardous material transportation and high-risk facility management.
• Central Asia’s (CA) Partner Countries demonstrated intensified re-engagement and collaboration in CBRN risk mitigation, e.g. in the development, finalisation and adoption of NAPs that also supported formalisation of the new NTs in some of the countries.
• The Eastern and Central African (ECA) National Focal Points (NFPs) are able to bring together NT members more easily and demonstrate commitment and strong engagement in the Initiative. Some Patrner Countries publish articles in their local media where the CoE and its impact on the country are emphasized.
• In the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region, regular coordination and planning meetings supported inter-agency discussions among national stakeholders. Technical support helped improving licensing procedures and updating lists of hazardous chemicals.
• In the Middle East (MIE), a Regional Risk Assessment Excercise supported the CoE Partner Countries to discuss their gaps and needs resulting in an updated RAP. A new Law in Iraq is a significant achievement as it provides a legal framework for allCBRN related activities in the country, including establishment of an international CBRN training Centre.
• In the North African and Sahel region (NAS), continuous involvement with Burkina Faso, Libya and Tunisia had a huge positive impact in re-activating the CoE cooperation with these partner countries. Two partner countries committed to a specific training for their NTs on the control of chemical  - and CBRN in general - substances.
• In South East Asia (SEA), the EU CBRN CoE is well known at the ASEAN Health Cluster 2 Secretariat as well as ASEAN CBR Defence Network, that is among other factors attributed to the long-standing and consistent presence of the OSA in the region, and owing to projects with sustainable objectives.
• In South East and Eastern Europe (SEEE), PCs remain committed to the implementation of the CoE Initiative, with most NFPs proactively involved in the networking, regional projects, project identification and formulation, and specific technical discussions. The methodology for RAP implementation has been sucessfully established and followed in the region.