Advocacy event – Republic of Tajikistan: Promoting Universalization and Effective Implementation of the International Convention for the Suppression of Acts of Nuclear Terrorism

25 February 2021 – The United Nations Counter-Terrorism Centre (UNCCT) of the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT) concluded the National Advocacy Event with Tajikistan Parliamentarians on Promoting Universalization and Effective Implementation of the International Convention for the Suppression of Acts of Nuclear Terrorism (ICSANT). The hybrid event was opened by Mr. Vladimir Voronkov, Under-Secretary-General for Counter-Terrorism and Executive Director of UNCCT, Mr. Rustam Shohmurod, Chairman of the Parliament Committee on law enforcement, defense and security, Majlisi Namoyandagon, Republic of Tajikistan, Mr. Dmitriy Arkadievich Kobitsky, Secretary General, Inter-Parliamentary Assembly of Member Nations of the Commonwealth of Independent States and Ms. Sezin Sinanoglu, Resident Coordinator, United Nations Resident Coordinator Office in Tajikistan.

The event brought together representatives of several international organizations, including the International Atomic Energy Agency, INTERPOL, the United Nations Office of Legal Affairs and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). Participants shared their experiences on promoting and implementing ICSANT and discussed the importance of international cooperation, including exchange of information on nuclear security threats, prosecution and extradition of suspects.

“The objective of today’s event is to raise awareness on both the threat of nuclear terrorism and the path that Tajikistan could undertake to join the Convention”, Mr. Vladimir Voronkov said at the opening of the event. Mr. Voronkov further expressed his hope that the event “will spark interest from Tajikistan to consider ratification of this important Convention.”

The event was part of the European Union and the United Nations joint project on Promoting Universalization and Effective Implementation of ICSANT. ICSANT was adopted in 2005 by consensus by the UN General Assembly. It entered into force in 2007 and currently has 117 Parties. This project with global reach was implemented as a partnership between the UNCCT and UNODC. The project assists requesting Member States build the capacity to strengthen their legal frameworks and enhance their nuclear security. It also seeks to enhance appreciation of the importance of ratification and encourage an effective implementation of the Convention.

UNOCT was established in June 2017 to provide leadership on the implementation of General Assembly counter-terrorism mandates, to enhance coordination and coherence through the Global Counter-Terrorism Compact, and to strengthen the delivery of the United Nations counter-terrorism capacity building assistance to Member States, through UNCCT.

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