From 15 to 17 December, the United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute (UNICRI) convened a regional instructors’ meeting to review the results of Phase II of the CONTACT–Black Sea project and to strengthen national training efforts to counter radiological and nuclear (RN) trafficking. The three-day meeting, held in Turin, Italy, brought together national training institutions from Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia, along with national project coordinators and project donors, including the United Kingdom’s Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) and the Norwegian Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority (DSA).
The meeting provided a platform to assess the results achieved under the CONTACT–Black Sea project, including the scope of activities implemented and the overall effectiveness of the training programme. Participants reviewed lessons learned from the delivery of pilot training sessions and discussed how CONTACT methodologies and materials could be further adapted to national operational contexts.
National training institutions from Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia shared practical experiences and challenges encountered in delivering counter-RN trafficking training. Each institution presented the development process and outcomes of its pilot training session developed on the basis of the CONTACT curriculum, highlighting national approaches to tailoring content, integrating modules on intelligence-focused detection measures and responding to evolving RN trafficking threats.
The meeting also fostered regional dialogue and cooperation among national training institutions in the Black Sea region. Participants discussed future priorities for the CONTACT–Black Sea initiative, including sustainability measures, continued inter-institutional cooperation, and UNICRI’s planned activities for the next phase of the project.
Background
Implemented by UNICRI, the CONTACT–Black Sea project supports national training institutions in building sustainable capacities to counter radiological and nuclear trafficking.
Within the framework of the project, UNICRI has engaged closely with national training institutions to ensure the sustainability of counter-RN trafficking training and to further strengthen the capabilities of state security and law enforcement officials. This has been achieved through advanced training activities aimed at reinforcing and consolidating the expertise and skills of project participants. The project is jointly funded by the United Kingdom’s Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) and the Norwegian Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority (DSA).