The United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute (UNICRI) has successfully concluded its project on “Preventing non-State actors from planning and carrying out chemical weapons attacks through intelligence-led operations” (ATLAS).
The project concluded with an event in Tunis, Tunisia, from 11 to 12 December 2023, that focused on intelligence-sharing and Inter-Agency cooperation mechanisms to strengthen the collective response against chemical weapons threats.
The event brought together key stakeholders from various national agencies, fostering collaboration to enhance the prevention of chemical weapons attacks by non-State actors. These included representatives from the Forensic Police, Customs, the General Directorate of Specialized Services, the Explosive Ordnance Disposal Training Unit, the Directorate of the Ministry of Justice, and the Ministry of National Defence.
During the event, each participating agency had the opportunity to deliver presentations on the topic, showcasing the challenges, strategies, and best practices in preventing chemical weapons attacks. Their presentations were met with constructive feedback from a panel of experts, further enriching the discourse and encouraging a robust exchange of ideas. In addition to the presentations, participants received supplementary training on developing effective training materials, equipping them with the necessary skills to disseminate knowledge within their organizations.
Since its inception in 2022, the ATLAS project has been important for strengthening a network of experts in key agencies involved in counter-terrorism efforts. The successful final event underscores the commitment of the participating national experts to work collaboratively in addressing emerging threats and ensuring their country’s safety and security. UNICRI congratulates the Tunisian national team for engaging with the project and sharing their expertise.
About ATLAS: Preventing non-State actors from planning and carrying out chemical weapons attacks through intelligence-led operations.
ATLAS is a pilot project which aims to prevent non-state actors from planning and carrying out chemical weapons attacks by developing and implementing training programmes in North Africa. Designed within the framework of the European Union (EU) Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) Centres of Excellence (CoE) Initiative, the ATLAS project is implemented by the United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute, in cooperation with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and with the financial support of the United States (US) Department of State (DoS).
For more information about the ATLAS project, please click here.
