The EU Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Risk Mitigation Centres of Excellence Initiative: Workshop on the National Action Plan Review for Uzbekistan

The online event was attended by representatives of the State Committee on Industrial Safety of the Republic of Uzbekistan, experts from the JRC, UNICRI and the CBRN National Team for Uzbekistan, represented by various ministries and agencies and closely involved in the implementation of the NAP. 

The meeting was opened by Mr. Bakhtiyor Gulyamov, Head of the EU CBRN CoE Regional Secretariat for Central Asia, who welcomed the participants and briefly highlighted the results achieved in the implementation of the National Action Plan in Uzbekistan during 2018-2021. He also highlighted the importance of the NAP to ensure the fulfillment of the international commitments in the sphere of chemical, biological, radiation and nuclear safety and security.

The first day of the meeting was devoted to aspects pertaining the implementation of the NAP for 2018-2021, where the National CBRN Team of Uzbekistan had the opportunity to outline the main achievements and challenges. The second and third days made it possible for the experts to elaborate on the process of drafting the CBRN NAP based on the lessons learned from the implementation of the previous document and from the COVID pandemic. The sessions covered sections related to chemical and biological materials, as well as radiological and nuclear (RN) risk mitigation aspects. Throughout the workshop, the JRC experts provided an elaborate hands-on training on the methodology related to the identification and prioritization of needs, with a focus on all four areas of work – chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear security. Overall, the workshop was of high interest and put forward many interesting proposals, stimulating participants to further investigate pertinent aspects on their own.

Upon workshop completion, the National CBRN Team of Uzbekistan has embarked on the development of the new NAP for the period of 2022-2024. It is expected that the new NAP will target a number of priorities, such as preventing the illicit movement and proliferation of nuclear, chemical and biological weapons and their means of delivery; improvement of the regulatory framework in the field of chemical, biological, radiation and nuclear safety; strengthening the material and technical base of authorized state bodies; organization of training, retraining and mentoring of personnel; and strengthening international and regional cooperation and active exchange of experience in the field of chemical, biological, radiation and nuclear safety.

Background information:

The EU Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) Risk Mitigation Centres of Excellence (CoE) Initiative is funded and implemented by the European Union through the Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument (NDICI) – Global Europe.

The aim of the Initiative is to support Partner Countries and regions in strengthening CBRN risk mitigation and an all-hazards security governance, following a voluntary and demand-driven approach.

The Initiative is led by the European Commission’s Service for Foreign Policy Instruments (FPI), in close coordination with the European External Action Service (EEAS). The European Commission's Joint Research Centre (JRC) provides technical support to Partner Countries, while the United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute (UNICRI) ensures a coherent and effective national, regional and international cooperation. Other relevant International and/or Regional Organisations and experts also contribute to the Initiative, which represents the EU’s largest civilian external security programme.