- 03 November 2025
The United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT) conducted a course on “Nuclear and Radiological Terrorism: Threats and Countermeasures” in Bogota, Colombia, from 28 to 31 October 2025. The training was organized by the United Nations Counter-Terrorism Centre (UNCCT) in UNOCT, in close collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Colombia and the Organization of American States (OAS), and with funding from the European Union (EU).
Hosted by the Criminal Investigation Directorate of the National Police of Colombia (DIJIN), the course brought together 26 practitioners and experts representing six Colombian ministries and national agencies. The initiative aimed to reinforce technical expertise and strengthen inter-agency cooperation in detecting, preventing, and responding to radiological and nuclear (R/N) terrorism threats. It combined theoretical knowledge with practical exercises, case studies, and a scenario-based tabletop activity simulating a radiological incident.
During the training, participants engaged and exchanged insights in sessions covering core R/N concepts, hands-on material detection techniques, crime scene management, personnel security, or risk management, operational procedures, equipment use, and administrative measures that underpin preparedness and resilience.
Furthermore, the training focused on enhancing national collaboration among experts working in R/N security and counter-terrorism, with particular emphasis on inter-agency coordination and information sharing. Participants were also introduced to the International Convention for the Suppression of Acts of Nuclear Terrorism (ICSANT) and its contribution to fostering cooperation between States Parties. Finally, the UNOCT Connect & Learn Platform was presented as a practical tool to support practitioner exchanges across institutions and countries, further advancing nuclear security.
Background
The event was conducted within the framework of the joint project of the European Union and the United Nations on Supporting Universalization and Effective Implementation of ICSANT. The project, funded by the European Union and implemented jointly by UNOCT and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), supports the universalization and effective implementation of the Convention.
ICSANT was adopted in 2005 by consensus by the United Nations General Assembly. It entered into force in 2007 and, as of October 2025, has 127 States parties.
In December 2023, the General Assembly reiterated its concern about the growing risk of linkages between terrorism and weapons of mass destruction (WMD) (A/RES/78/43). In particular, the General Assembly recognized that terrorists may seek to acquire WMD and appealed to all Member States to consider adherence to ICSANT while encouraging States parties to review their implementation.
For more information, visit https://www.un.org/counterterrorism/cct/chemical-biological-radiological... or contact oct-ctweapons@un.org
