Experts gathered in Johannesburg for the regional workshop aiming to strengthen the awareness, knowledge and capabilities of Member States of the East and Southern Africa region on the protection of critical infrastructure against terrorist attacks.
Held in Johannesburg from 12-14 November 2019, the workshop was organized by the United Nations Security Council Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate (CTED), the International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL), and the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT). It was attended by Government officials from the region, as well as experts from the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), the 缅北禁地Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), World Health Organization (WHO), the Global Counterterrorism Forum (GCTF) and the private sector.
In accordance with Security Council resolution 2341 (2017), the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Coordination Compact (under the Office on Counter-Terrorism [UNOCT]); the Global Compact Working Group on the Emerging Threats and Protection of Critical Infrastructure; and the Counter-Terrorism Committee (with the support of its Executive Directorate [CTED]) cooperate to facilitate the delivery of technical and capacity-building assistance to States in need and to raise awareness of the threat, including by engaging in dialogue with Member States and international and regional organizations, cooperating with technical assistance providers, and promoting the sharing of information.
The workshop also served to promote the , which was developed under the Global Compact working group and formally launched in New York in 2018. The Compendium provides reference materials and guidance on the development and strengthening of risk-reduction strategies, focusing on, inter alia, prevention, preparedness, mitigation, investigation, response and recovery. The Compendium was used as a practical guidance tool to address the measures to be taken by Member States to effectively implement resolution 2341 (2017) and other relevant Council resolutions.
Participants raised several important challenges to effectively implement Security Council resolution 2341 (2017) related to this theme. These include domestic multi-stakeholder coordination, public/private partnerships, information-sharing and enhancing understanding of the importance of critical infrastructure and “soft” target protection at the national level, as well as the lack of necessary resources.
The workshop also provided an opportunity to focus on gaps, needs, and exchanging of existing good practices among the participating States. For example, joint trainings and crisis situation exercises were presented as a good practice to enhance preparedness but also as a way to strengthen coordination and cooperation among relevant national authorities. Participants also suggested that increased awareness at the Head of State level would help expedite decision-making and actions at the national level.
The discussions also recognized potential synergies between the protection of critical infrastructures and the protection of “soft” targets pursuant to Security Council resolution 2396 (2017). Synergies were also explored from existing crisis management mechanisms and national security plans, which could serve as a basis for further developing national measures focusing on critical infrastructure and “soft” target protection.
Going forward, CTED will continue to engage with Member States and key partners to raise awareness and follow developments in the field of critical-infrastructure and “soft”-target protection. CTED will also continue to engage with States in identifying gaps, challenges and good practices in this area and in promoting the need for human rights-compliant approaches alongside the development of national policies and strategies.