Kyrgyz Officials Study Germany's Approach on Critical Infrastructure Protection in UNOCT-Facilitated Exchange
From 8-10 July 2025, senior security officials from the Kyrgyz Republic participated in a study visit to Germany organized by the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT) to strengthen capacities in protecting critical infrastructure from terrorist threats. The visit was hosted by Germany, with the support of the EU-UN Global Terrorism Threat Facility.
The Kyrgyz delegation was led by the Director of the Kyrgyz Anti-Terrorism Centre and the Deputy Director of the State Committee on National Security and also included representatives from the Anti-Terrorism Centre, State Committee on National Security, Ministry of Emerging Situations and Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The study visit focused on knowledge-sharing, information exchange and good practices in critical infrastructure protection. Participants had a unique opportunity to engage with key German entities to learn about comprehensive Germany's approach integrating physical security, cybersecurity, and institutional coordination frameworks to critical infrastructure protection against terrorist threats.
At German government institutions, participants learned about Germany’s policy and legislation, including in the context of the EU Critical Entities Resilience Directive and the EU NIS2 Directive.
The private sector Federal Association of Energy and Water Industries provided insights into sector-specific security approaches as well as UP-KRITIS Platform, German’s unique public-private coordination mechanisms for critical sectors.
Technical site visits included the 50 Hertz energy transmission grid operator and RWE's Neurath power plant, where officials discussed physical protection measures for energy infrastructure.
At Berlin Brandenburg (BER) Airport, the delegation met with the German Federal Police to exchange views on the multi-layered physical security approach systems and methods. Discussions at the Federal Office for Information Security focused on cyber-threats and security frameworks engaging in a visit of the National IT Situation Centre.
The visit enabled the Kyrgyz participants to learn more about Germany’s efficient practices for possible adaptation, i.e. comprehensive legal and policy frameworks, effective public-private partnership models, integrated physical and cyber protection measures, and cross-sectoral coordination mechanisms.
The visit forms part of UNOCT coordinated technical assistance for the Kyrgyzstan on protecting critical infrastructure delivered by its Vulnerable Targets Programme, in collaboration with the EU-UN Terrorist Threat Facility. These efforts build upon previous UNOCT activities in supports of the priorities identified in the National Action Plan or Roadmap on Vulnerable Targets Protection developed by UNOCT and the Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate.
The study visit was made possible through the generous support of the State of Qatar to UNOCT's Global Programme on Countering Terrorist Threats against Vulnerable Targets.
