Improvised explosive devices (IEDs) pose a significant threat to global security. The reason behind the growing threat is that IEDs can be simple to design whilst production costs are generally low. Furthermore, their components may be easily accessible, including through criminal networks or porous borders, due to corruption or inadequate explosive stockpile management.
To address this growing threat in South Asia, UNODC, in coordination with the National Counter Terrorism Centre of the Maldives, delivered a national workshop on strengthening cross-regional and international cooperation, and sharing of good practices in countering the use of improvised explosive devices (IEDs) for terrorist purposes. The workshop took place within the framework of the project “Support to Addressing the Risk of Terrorism and to Increasing Security in the Maldives”, carried out with funding by the European Union.
Representatives from the Maldives Police Service, Maldives Customs Service, Financial Intelligence Unit, Office of the Attorney General, Office of the Prosecutor General, Department of Judicial Administration (Criminal Courts), Aviation Security Command, National Counter-Terrorism Centre, and specialized departments within the Maldives National Defence Force, actively contributed to the event, in addition to UNODC’s Terrorism Prevention Branch, expertise was provided by the United Nations’ Security Council ISIL (Da’esh) and Al-Qaida Sanctions Committee, INTERPOL, World Customs Organization and Small Arms Survey.
The event, which built on a previous national capacity building workshop in October 2023, enhanced inter-agency coordination and collaboration and sharing of good practices to counter IEDs. The workshop was instrumental in fostering collaboration and knowledge-sharing among national agencies, and between national and international stakeholders. To achieve this goal, the sessions promoted strengthening channels for information exchange and inter-agency coordination. It also raised awareness on international good practices, methodologies and techniques for disrupting the use of IEDs, supporting investigations and prosecutions of IED-related offences. The event was practical and needs-based, combining group exercises with plenary discussions and practical cases. Among other topics, it touched upon successes and challenges on international cooperation in criminal cases, information sharing and use of databases.
“We strive to build stronger partnerships, refine our strategies, and overcome the challenges that hinders effective inter-agency coordination. Together, through unified efforts and shared responsibilities, we can create a safer Maldives, a safer world for future generations” noted Colonel Amanulla Ahmed Rasheed, Director of the National Counter Terrorism Centre, Maldives.
Both workshops stemmed from the findings of the self-assessment report “Strengthening National Capacities of Maldives to Prevent the Use of Improvised Explosive devices in Terrorism-related Crimes.” The report was drafted in the context of a previous UNODC project, concluded in 2021, also funded by the European Union, on the basis of the counter-IED capability maturity model and self-Assessment tool developed by the United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research.
This article was produced with the financial assistance of the European Union. The views expressed herein can in no way be taken to reflect the official opinion of the European Union.
