Within the framework of the European Union Chemical Biological Radiological and Nuclear Risk Mitigation Centres of Excellence (EU CBRN CoE) initiative, and following the request of the National Focal Point of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), UNICRI organized the second workshop in order to provide guidance to the country in the development of its National CBRN Action Plan (NAP) using the methodology developed by UNICRI.
The overall purpose of the National Action Plan is to articulate a national vision for CBRN risk mitigation into a national CBRN action plan and to identify priorities for building capacity. The National Action Plan - to be developed during a series of workshops - will be designed to ensure that separate efforts are incorporated into one coherent approach, thus strengthening national capacities for prevention, detection, preparedness and response to CBRN threats. The initiative also facilitates the identification and implementation of projects and ensures that capacity building is part of a coordinated and sustainable approach.
The second workshop for the preparation of the National CBRN Action Plan was organized in collaboration with the Ministry of Scientific Research and Technology in Kinshasa on 30 September - 2 October 2015. The meeting was opened by the Chief of Staff in the Ministry of Scientific Research, Mr. Florimond Nyamoga Kabanda.
The National Focal Point, Mr. Edouard Booto Bokonda, welcomed the participants and thanked the President of the Republic for his determination to protect the country and its population against the risks posed by CBRN material, thus contributing to the international community efforts in this area. Mr. Booto highlighted the important support provided by the Ministry of Scientific Research and Technology and presented the achievements that the Centres of Excellence in the DRC has so far achieved, in particular by raising awareness on CBRN risks among high level institutions.
Regarding the National Action Plan, Mr. Booto stated that this strategic document, which is meant to address prevention, detection and intervention in cases of CBRN incidents, also represents a valuable tool to identify vulnerabilities. The National Action Plan will guide the development and implementation of projects to mitigate CBRN risks.
The workshop convened members of the DRC National CBRN Team, including the following ministries, departments and entities: the National Intelligence Agency (ANR); the Coordination and Control Command Centre (C3C); the Office of the President of the Republic; the DRC CBRN Centre of Excellence; the Research Centre for Applied Science and Technology (CRSAT); the Geological and Mining Research Centre (CRGM); the National Committee for Protection against Ionizing Radiation (CNPRI); the Standing Committee for the Law Reform of Congo (CPRDC); the Firemen Corps of Kinshasa (CSP-KIN); the Ministry of National Defence; the General Directorate of Customs and Excise (DGDA); the General Directorate for Migration (DGM); the Congolese National Police (PNC); the Central National Bureau of INTERPOL; the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MINNAFET); the Ministry of Environment; the Ministry of Justice and Human Rights; the Ministry of Public Health; the Ministry of Industry; the Ministry of Interior and Security; the Ministry of Hydrocarbons (MINHYD); the Ministry of Transport and Telecommunications; the Congolese Control Office (OCC); the National Committee for Coordination and Fight against Terrorism (CNCLT); the Global Programme for Hygiene at Borders (PMHF), the Ministry of Health; the Congolese Association of Chemists (SOCHIMCO) and the University of de Kinshasa (UNIKIN).
UNICRI experts facilitated the discussions and the review of the draft National Action Plan, focusing on the prioritisation of risks, identification of existing and needed capacities and elaborating actions to enhance capacities.
The EU CBRN CoE Initiative is funded by the European Commission and implemented in cooperation with the United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute (UNICRI) and the European Commission Joint Research Center (JRC).
The European External Action Service is also involved in the follow-up of the initiative. The initiative is developed with the technical support of relevant international and regional organisations, the EU Member States and other stakeholders, through coherent and effective cooperation at the national, regional and international level.
The initiative involves 51 countries in 8 regions of the world.
For more information:
- CBRN Centres of Excellence website: http://www.cbrn-coe.eu/
- European Commission, Instrument contributing to Stability and Peace website (see section about "Stable Situations"):http://ec.europa.eu/europeaid/node/7350