The UNODC Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) Terrorism Prevention Programme, Terrorism Prevention Branch continues to promote the seven international legal instruments against CBRN terrorism – an effective response to the risk of CBRN weapons or related materials being used by non‑State actors for terrorist or other criminal purposes.

On 12‑13 December 2023, UNODC contributed to the first European Union (EU) CBRN Centres of Excellence–African Union Forum on mitigating risks related to CBRN materials, which was held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, by the United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute.

The forum explored evolving CBRN threats and recent related incidents in Africa and identified structural challenges and gaps that African countries currently face that allow CBRN risks to occur or hinder their effective management. Participants also discussed the role of technical assistance under the EU CBRN Centres of Excellence initiative and explored wider international assistance to reduce CBRN risks.

The meeting gathered approximately 50 participants from over 30 Member States, international organizations and non‑governmental organizations. UNODC participated in all discussions and presented on its work on the promotion of universalization and effective implementation of the seven international legal instruments against CBRN terrorism. In particular, UNODC discussed its tailor-made tools and assistance under the current projects funded by the Government of Canada and EU that help countries adhere to and effectively implement the International Convention for the Suppression of Acts of Nuclear Terrorism, the Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Material and its 2005 Amendment.