Advanced Training for Experts on Alleged Use of Chemical, Biological

Weapons under Way in Sweden, 9-14 June

 

NEW YORK, 9 June (Office for Disarmament Affairs) — An advanced training course for experts who were nominated by Member States to the roster of the Secretary-General’s Mechanism for Investigation of Alleged Use of Chemical and Biological Weapons will be held from 9 to 14 June, in Umeå, Sweden.  This course is organized by the European CBRNE Center at the University of Umeå and it is funded by the Government of Sweden and the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs using grants from the Government of Norway and the European Union.

The Mechanism is aimed at conducting timely and efficient investigations of reports of alleged use of chemical and biological weapons and was endorsed by the General Assembly in 1990.  The relevant guidelines stipulate that “any interested Member State may designate to the Secretary-General relevant specialized training or courses available to qualified experts in support of their possible role on his behalf in carrying out investigations of possible use of CBT (chemical, biological or toxin) agents, including exchange of information and expertise, in order to facilitate achievement of a common basis of understanding and operation”.

The Mechanism’s advanced training course in Umeå will be the third course for experts on the Secretary-General’s roster. Previous training courses were held in France (2012) and Sweden (2009).  It is expected that 18 trainees will attend this course. The training will be conducted in cooperation with relevant international organizations, such as the World Health Organization (WHO), International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL), World Organization for Animal Health and the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW).

The Office for Disarmament Affairs maintains the Mechanism roster of experts and laboratories, which is regularly updated based on nominations by Member States.

For further information, please contact Tam Chung at tel.:  +1 212 963 1901.

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For information media • not an official record