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  1. UNOCT/UNCCT supports South and Southeast Asian countries in countering terrorist use of weapons of mass destruction and chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and explosive materials

UNOCT/UNCCT supports South and Southeast Asian countries in countering terrorist use of weapons of mass destruction and chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and explosive materials

From 9 to 12 July 2024, the United Nations Counter-Terrorism Centre (UNCCT) of the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT), in partnership with the Office of Weapons of Mass Destruction Terrorism of the U.S. Department of State, held a regional workshop on countering terrorist use of weapons of mass destruction (WMD) and chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and explosive (CBRNE) materials in Bangkok, Thailand. 

The workshop, conducted within the framework of a joint UNOCT-United States project, strengthened the capacities of 10 South and Southeast Asian countries to prevent terrorist organizations from accessing and using WMD and/or CBRNE materials. The project aims to enhance the countries’ abilities to develop national CBRNE exercises and methodologies tailored to their specific security challenges.

The workshop brought together 25 government officials from counter-terrorism, law enforcement, arms control, intelligence, and other relevant authorities dealing with WMD and CBRN materials from Bangladesh, Cambodia, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Malaysia, Mongolia, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Timor-Leste, and Viet Nam. 

It was jointly opened by Mr. Mauro Miedico, UNCCT Director, and Ms. Dana Brownlow, Political Counselor at the United States Embassy in Bangkok. 

The four-day event provided an opportunity for the participants to understand different models for developing and sustaining national exercise programmes related to countering WMD and CBRNE terrorism. Through interactive exercises and group work, the participants identified and prioritized the main threats and worked on building their own table-top exercises and evaluation plans aimed at addressing realistic WMD/CBRN terrorism challenges. The participants also enhanced their knowledge about the best international practices. This in-person training is a follow-up to a virtual seminar held in June 2024, which provided an opportunity for the beneficiary Member States to familiarize themselves with the project’s objectives, tools, and materials to ensure progressive assimilation of knowledge.

For more information, visit   or contact oct-ctweapons@un.org 

Mr. Miedico stated: “We see an increasing accessibility to the knowledge, expertise, equipment, and technology necessary for manufacturing and weaponizing CBRNE materials in both South and Southeast Asia.” The availability of dual-use items, which can be repurposed for weaponizing CBRN materials, on the legal market, is a significant driver of this trend, with no signs of decline in the short term, he added.
Ms. Dana Brownlow, highlighted that the threat of terrorists and other non-state actors acquiring and using CBRNE materials is a significant concern. “The United States is committed to countering terrorism and promoting stability globally, and our collaboration with Indo-Pacific partners and ASEAN is essential to meet this task,” she emphasized.