Virtual Training on Outbreak Containment for Law Enforcement in Iraq

The United Nations Counter-Terrorism Centre (UNCCT) within the Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT) concluded the Virtual Training on Outbreak Containment for Law Enforcement, with a focus on bioterrorism, for Iraq. It was organized in collaboration with the Iraqi National Monitoring Authority for Nonproliferation (INMA) and the Permanent Mission of Iraq to the United Nations in New York. The event was closed by Mr. Mohsin Oleiwi Abdul Kadhim, the Chairman of INMA. 

This training took place within the framework of the UNCCT programme on Preventing and Responding to Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)/Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) Terrorism. It started with an overview of the bioterrorism threat and the role performed by law enforcement in responding to serious public health emergencies. Through exercises, case studies, and facilitated discussions, participants also had an opportunity to learn more about global terrorism, biological agents weaponization, investigative challenges of bioterrorism, crime scene management, personal protective equipment, and decontamination, among other topics. 

A the closing of the training, Mr. Abdul Kadhim stated: “The proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and associated materials poses an increasing threat to international peace and security. The threat of terrorists obtaining chemical, biological and nuclear materials adds a new critical dimension to this threat, and no one can ignore this growing threat. Meeting this challenge must be an essential component of national procedures.”

The four-days virtual training brought together representatives of a wide variety of agencies and entities, including the Council of Ministers, INMA, the Iraqi National Security Service, the Ministry of Agriculture, the Ministry of Defense (Chemical Directorate, Directorate of Military Medical Affairs) the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Intelligence Services, the Ministry of Interior (Central Chemical Laboratory, Criminal Evidence Investigation Directorate, Directorate of Medical Services, Iraqi Civil Defense), the National Security Advisory and the Prime Minister’s Office. 
 
This training in Iraq concludes a series of three pilot trainings, which also took place in the Philippines in February and in Nigeria in March, successfully testing a new methodology of CBRN courses. The programme will enter a new cycle where training modules will be available to Member States upon request.

UNOCT was established in June 2017 to provide leadership on the implementation of General Assembly counter-terrorism mandates, to enhance coordination and coherence, including through the Global Counter-Terrorism Compact, and to strengthen the delivery of the United Nations counter-terrorism capacity building assistance to Member States, including through the UNCCT. UNCCT remains committed to assisting Member States in preventing CBRN terrorist attacks and promoting inter-agency collaboration to ensure that prevention, detection, preparedness and response capabilities are firmly in place.
 

For more information, visit www.un.org/uncct or contact oct-info@un.org