Delegates at a CBRN workshop in Kigali, Rwanda
Rwanda is expected to establish a centre of excellence that will help the country in advancing its handling and protection of Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) threats.
As the country experiences both economic growth and technological development which bring along better life for citizens, this also creates new CBRN risks.
The idea of centre excellence resulted from discussions at a workshop jointly organised by Rwanda, the European Commission’s Joint Research Center and the United Nations Inter-regional Crime and Justice Research Institute.
General James Kabarebe Rwanda’s Defence Minister said the workshop was important to “enhance knowledge of our institutions to mitigate CBRN risks and contribute to our national peace and security.”
This is the first such workshop Rwanda has held. The country in March 2016, officially joined the Eastern and Central Africa CBRN program.
According to UNDP Country Director Stephen Anthony Rodriques ,the CBRN Centers of Excellence Initiative like the one being established in Rwanda is part of a strategy to help prepare countries for risks related to CBRN materials and agents.
“These centers seek to boost cooperation at national, regional and international levels and to develop a common and coherent CBRN risk mitigation policy”.
The Head of Delegation of the European Union to Rwanda, Ambassador Michael Ryan said that terrorism has become an increasing threat in society and creates major concern in the field of CBRN.
“As countries strive to grow economically, they also need to take precautions to prevent these risks whatever their nature may be- accidental, natural or criminal”, Ambassador Ryan said.
Delegates engaged in discussions during the CBRN workshop
