1. EU CBRN Centres of Excellence Initiative
Round-table on WMD and Dual-use Expertise/knowledge redirection and Prevention
Kyiv, 18 April 2013
Ms. Fanny FERT
UNICRI – EU CBRN CoE regional Coordinator for Central Asia

2. Centres of Excellence (CoE)
CBRN CoE
EU Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) Risk Mitigation
Centres of Excellence (CoE)
An initiative funded by the European Union Million Euros
European Union
The EU CBRN Centres of Excellence is an initiative funded by the Europen Union…

3. The Initiative is jointly implemented by:
Bodies involved
The Initiative is jointly implemented by:
The Initiative is implemented jointly by the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre (JRC) and the United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute (UNICRI), and is under the aegis of European Commission’s Directorate General for Development and Cooperation - EuropeAid (DG DEVCO) and the European External Action Service (EEAS). The EU CBRN Centres of Excellence Initiative is developed with the technical support of relevant International/Regional Organizations, the EU Member States and other stakeholders, through coherent and effective cooperation at national, regional and international level.

4. CBRN Risk Mitigation
The Initiative addresses the mitigation of and preparedness against risks related to CBRN material and agents by promoting a comprehensive approach.
Origin of the risk
Criminal
(proliferation, theft, sabotage and illicit trafficking),
Accidental
(industrial catastrophes, in particular chemical or nuclear, waste
treatment, transport),
Natural
(mainly pandemics).
The Initiative addresses the mitigation of and preparedness against risks related to CBRN material and agents. The origin of these risks can be criminal (proliferation, theft, sabotage and illicit trafficking), accidental (industrial catastrophes, in particular chemical or nuclear, waste treatment and transport) or natural (mainly pandemics but also be the consequence of natural hazards on CBRN material and facilities). The CBRN CoE Initiative seeks to boost cooperation at national, regional and international levels, and to develop a common and coherent CBRN risk mitigation policy at national and regional level. Risk mitigation comprises prevention, preparedness and post-crisis management .
 I suggest this in order to avoid an excessive focus on crisis management “only”, but to also spell it out as an intrinsic part of the approach. This would need to be understood, approved and supported at all EU strategic levels.

5. Regions
The CBRN CoE network is currently present in more than 60 partner countries and structured in 8 Regional Secretariats:
- African Atlantic Façade;
- Central Asia;
- Eastern and Central Africa;
- Gulf Cooperation Council Countries;
- Middle East;
- North Africa;
- South East Asia; and
- South East Europe, Southern Caucasus, Moldova and Ukraine.
The CBRN CoE network is currently present in more than 60 partner countries across the globe, grouped around 8 CBRN CoE Regional Secretariats, namely:
- African Atlantic Façade
- Central Asia
- Eastern and Central Africa
- Gulf Cooperation Council Countries
- Middle East
- North Africa
- South East Asia
- South East Europe, Southern Caucasus, Moldova and Ukraine 5

6. Objectives
To create a framework for cooperation and coordination at national, regional and international level.
To facilitate regional cooperation in order to enhance CBRN policies and capabilities.
Lack of coordination and preparedness related to CBRN risks at national level and fragmentation of responsibilities within a region can have dramatic consequences. This is why the European Union is setting up a framework for cooperation and coordination amongst all levels of government and international partners. This Initiative is mirroring the European Union CBRN Action Plan implemented inside the EU.
The main objective of the EU CBRN CoE Initiative is to facilitate regional cooperation in order to enhance CBRN capabilities.

7. Methodology
These activities will support partner countries in the implementation of the
CoE methodology to:
Carry out a Needs Assessment at national level.
Develop a comprehensive CBRN National Action Plan.
Identify and implement targeted projects of regional concern to address the needs.
Promote the use of CBRN national, regional and international capabilities for the implementation of projects.
These activities will support partner countries in the implementation of the CoE methodology to:
Perform a Needs Assessment at national level
Develop a comprehensive CBRN National Action Plan
Analyse needs and gaps at regional level
Identify and implement targeted projects of regional concern to address the needs (e.g., training, procedures, workshops, equipment);
Promote the use of CBRN national, regional and international capabilities for the implementation of projects 7

8. The CoE network Create a network
Overall coordination and decision-making
The CBRN CoE Initiative is implemented jointly by JRC and UNICRI, under the aegis of the European Commission’s DG DEVCO, which is the overall Initiative's decision-making body, and the Policy Division of the European External Action Service (EEAS ). The selection of projects is done by the EU Commission (DG DEVCO) on the basis of the funds available in IfS Programme, the priorities, comments and recommendations of the Policy Division of the EEAS and of the EU Member States. Coordination with International Organizations and other donors is also finalized at this stage. Specific working groups (Border Monitoring WG, Export Control of dual use goods WG, Bio/Chemical WG and Engagement of scientists WG also contribute to the overall mechanism for selection .
National coordination 
Each partner country appoints a National Focal Point (NFP) for the CoE CBRN Initiative. Once appointed, the NFP supports the creation of a CBRN National Team which is composed of representatives from ministries, national agencies and institutions representing relevant communities involved in CBRN risk mitigation, e.g., police, judges, officers with technical and academic background, law enforcers, first responders, civil society, intelligence, and diplomats. The CBRN National Team is one of the pillars of the Initiative as it is tasked with assessing country needs, formulating project proposals and promoting the coordination of CBRN policy amongst relevant institutions at national level, and participates in the development of projects.
Regional coordination
Within the CBRN CoE structure, Regional Secretariats operate within each of the CBRN CoE regions, developing and ensuring a high level of cooperation and coordination between partner countries, other donors and international organizations.
At regional level, the Secretariats  are coordinating the CoE activities at the regional level, liaising with the NFP and National Teams. They are responsible of the regional dimension of projects and are facilitating the implementation of CoE projects in the region. The Regional Secretariats are composed of a Head, a Deputy Head , a Regional Coordinator, an assistant and CBRN experts seconded to the secretariat . The Head of Secretariat is nominated by the Authorities of the hosting country. The Deputy Head comes from another country, which could consider being the next hosting country. When the Secretariat has been operated for three years by the same country, another country of the region can request for hosting the Secretariat (rotating process). Coordinator and assistant are UNICRI staff. CBRN experts are seconded by their respective countries according to the matters to be discussed within the Secretariat.
Coordination and cooperation with international and regional Organizations
The CBRN CoE Initiative works with many International and Regional bodies,  such as, but not exhaustively, the IAEA, the OPCW, UNODA, BWC-ISU, the WHO, INTERPOL, EUROPOL, the UN SC 1540 Committee, the Arab League, the African Union, ASEAN; each contributing with its own unique support according to its mandate.
Coordination and cooperation with other donors
The CBRN CoE Initiative works with other donors (e.g., the US, Japan, Australia) in order to avoid duplication and to find synergies with other international bodies (e.g., G8 Global Partnership).
Involvement of the European Union Member States, EU Delegations and the EU institutions
Involvement of the EU Member States, relevant European Commission services and EU Delegations will continue to be a key element for the programming and implementation of projects. Points of Contact have been officially appointed  within each EU Member State for matters related to the CBRN CoE Initiative  . Member States are expected to play a key implementing role in the establishment of networks in the regions, boosting the Initiative. Member States public and private actors will implement the selected actions in partner countries/regions. Outside the EU, Delegations are the Initiative’s EU flagship. They may engage with the implementing actors or partner countries, and channel information about the Initiative in the country/region. EEAS and DEVCO guarantee the Initiative’s coherence with the overall EU strategy.
 This raises a number of questions for the reader and maintains the COE as an opaque initiative on the EU side of things. It would be useful to have a clearer role depiction for each of the institutions mentioned here, and the “Decision Making Body”. Who does what? Division of tasks? Responsibilities? Reporting to whom? Spending what? How are decisions made in the “Body”? If you want to say DEVCO is decision-maker (in cooperation….), I think it is simpler to say it. Otherwise you introduce confusion, and it seems that the Body is something else.
 Hope it is clear now
 I moved National aspects in first place
 A REG SEC is not defining proposals
 Deputy Head is not optional
 It might be useful to develop this paragraph and give more information on the tasks and responsibilities, as well as the functioning of the RS. For example, indicate that the R Coordinator is a member of UNICRI, and the process to appoint Head and Deputy Head. You also need to foresee answers for potential questions from the region partners: “can we also hold the Secretariat, when, how?” “can my country belong to two COE regions?”.
Page: 1   They do not all have this status
 If this is the case, it would be good that the information is circulated and updated for all actors (through DEVCO/EEAS). It could be included in the COE portal so that it is accessible.
  Again, you are giving too little information on the side of EU actors. You could add, for example (from Bril’s document)… Member States are expected to play a key implementing role in the establishment of networks in the regions, boosting the Initiative. Member States public and private actors may also play a role in the proposals and projects to be implemented in partner countries/regions. In third countries, Delegations are the Initiative’s EU flagship. They may engage with the implementing actors from UNICRI or partner countries, and channel information about the Initiative in the country/region and also back to the EEAS and Member States. EEAS and DEVCO guarantee the Initiative’s coherence with the overall EU strategy.
 This is the case – the list could be made available on the portal 8

9. Deputy Head of Secretariat Administrative Support
The Regional Secretariat
Head of Secretariat
Appointed by partner country
Deputy Head of Secretariat
Appointed by partner country
Regional Coordinator
Administrative Support
UNICRI full time available
Regional CBRN Experts
part time in the secretariat, part time on missions with EU-JRC-UNICRI experts
Appointed by partner countries
The Regional Secretariat is composed of the Head of the Secretariat, appointed by the hosting country.
The Deputy Head of the Secretariat, appointed by another partner country in the region.
Two UNICRI staff that is the Regional Coordinator and and Administrative assistant.
CBRN experts appointed by partner countries in the region and to be hosted in the Secretariats when required.

10. The CBRN National Team Ministry of Foreign Affairs Ministry of Defense
Ministry of Interior
NATIONAL
FOCAL
POINT
Police
Customs
Any other relevant Institution
Intelligence Service
Each partner country should nominate a National Focal Point (NFP) who will be the main contact point for the initiative in the country. One of his responsabilities is to help in creating the CBRN National Team (NT).The NT is composed of representatives of relevant national agencies and institutions appointed by the partner country. The NFP is the representative of the NT and coordinates CoE activities at the country level. There is one NT per partner country. The NT is the key player of the initiative, assessing the countries’ needs and promoting the coordination of CBRN policy among the relevant institutions at national level.
Ministry of Health

11. Participation of EU Member States, EU Delegations and EU Institutions
International and Regional Organisations
Coordination and cooperation with International and Regional Organisations
Participation of EU Member States, EU Delegations and EU Institutions
The EU CBRN Centres of Excellence Initiative is developed with the technical support of relevant International/Regional Organizations, the EU Member States and other stakeholders, through coherent and effective cooperation at national, regional and international level.

12. Cycle of activities
Here you can see the different steps of the cycle of activities. 1st the needs assessment established by the

13. Country Benefits Reinforcement of National CBRN policy.
Membership of a CBRN network of experts.
Enhancing coordination and integration through the establishment of National CBRN Teams.
Needs addressed through specific projects.
Maximize existing capacities in the region.

14. The Tbilisi RS
Responsible for 10 countries (Albania, Armenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, FYROM, Georgia, Moldova, Montenegro, Serbia, Ukraine;
Located within the premises of the Academy of the Ministry of Internal Affairs;
UNICRI Regional Coordinator: Francesco Miorin

15. The Tbilisi RS: Key achievements
NATIONAL CBRN TEAMS (NTs):
NTs established in 8 partner countries
Over 120 governmental officers/scientific experts involved
NTs endorsed by top-level decision makers at the national level (established through decrees and orders of Prime Ministers, Ministers of Foreign Affairs, Ministers of Interior);
Over 15 workshops in support of the NTs performed by CoE experts

16. The Tbilisi RS: Key achievements
CBRN PROJECT PROPOSALS:
Over 40 projects proposals prepared by countries in the region and submitted to the EC for funding;
Frequent interactions between National Focal Points of the partner countries in the preparation of project proposals;
Project ideas for your country? Contact your National Focal Point or Francesco Miorin

17. The Tbilisi RS: Key achievements
CoE APPROVED PROJECTS:
Ten (10) project proposals submitted by countries have been approved by the European Commission;
Projects focus on training, provision of equipment and knowledge development;
Thematic areas: border control, bio-safety and bio-security, CBRN first response, CBRN risk assessment, information management and data exchange on CBRN material;
Implementation started on 1 January 2013

18. Projects and implementing agencies
IPO - Instytut Przemysłu Organicznego (Institute of Industrial Organic Chemistry), Poland
Identification and strengthening of forensic capacities in the area of prevention of organized crime and illicit trafficking of chemical agents, including training and equipment for frontline customs officers
Project 02
UMU - The European CBRNE Centre at Umeå University, Sweden.
Building capacity to identify and respond to threats from CBRN substances
Project 03
ICIS - Insubria Center on International Security, Italy
Knowledge development and transfer of best practice on bio-safety/bio-security/bio-risk management
Project 04
NCTV - National Coordinator for Counterterrorism and Security, Netherlands
Knowledge development and transfer of best practice on inter-agency CBRN response
Project 07
FEI - France Expertise Internationale
Guidelines, procedures and standardisation on bio-safety/bio-security
Project 10
James Martin CNS - The President and Fellows of Middelbury College, the James Martin Center for Non-Proliferation Studies, USA
Development of e-learning courses for CBRN risk mitigation
Project 11
NCTV - National Coordinator for Counterterrorism and Security, Ministry of Security and Justice, Netherlands
Promoting good practice and inter-agency procedures for assessing the risks of CBRN misuse
Project 18
LNCV - Landau Network-Centro Volta, Italy
International network of universities and institutes for raising awareness on dual-use concerns in bio-technology

19. The CoE public website
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20. Thank you for your attention
Ms. Fanny FERT
CBRN Risk Mitigation and Security Governance Programme
UNICRI
Thank you for your attention