Some terrorist groups and individuals strive to produce or obtain chemical weapons with the objective of generating mass casualties. In fact, in the case of Indonesia, there were eight plots in which terrorists attempted to use these weapons but either failed or their attempts were successfully thwarted. For these reasons, UNODC, in close collaboration with the Government of Indonesia, is working to ensure that national authorities’ comprehensive and proactive approach to preventing and countering terrorism incorporates international legal standards, good practices and the latest available knowledge. The aim of which is to significantly enhance the capability of national authorities to prevent, detect and respond to the acquisition, development, and threat or use of chemical weapons by non-state actors, in particular for terrorist purposes.
As part of these efforts, UNODC and the Indonesian National Counter-Terrorism Agency (BNPT), jointly hosted a review of the draft training curriculum on the Prevention and Response to Chemical Terrorism for Indonesia on 16 December 2024. The event brought together 25 key representatives from law enforcement, the military, fire department, emergency responders and various other government officials with relevant responsibilities.
The project, implemented by UNODC and the United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute (UNICRI) is under the purview of BNPT and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, with financial support from the Government of the United States of America.
The curriculum will serve as a tool for UNODC and various Indonesian government agencies to tackle the threat of chemical terrorism. The training modules cover several topics, such as international legal frameworks, emergency response procedures, as well as chemical terrorism crime scene management, to name a few. Participants were asked to provide feedback to ensure the curriculum is tailored to Indonesia's context and existing laws, policies and procedures. The meeting emphasized the importance of collaboration and the need for a comprehensive approach to counter chemical terrorism.
The event underscored the ongoing efforts to safeguard Indonesia and the wider Southeast Asia region from the grave dangers posed by chemical weapons.