CONTACT, preventing and combating the illicit trafficking RN material: Priority Identification Mission to the Republic of Uzbekistan

From September 11 to 13, 2024, the United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute (UNICRI) conducted meetings with national agencies in the Republic of Uzbekistan responsible for preventing and combating the illicit trafficking of radiological and nuclear (RN) materials. These discussions were part of the "CONTACT - Central Asia" project, which aims to enhance capacities to combat RN trafficking in the region and was launched in late 2023. UNICRI and representatives from Uzbek agencies were generously hosted by the Committee for Industrial, Radiation, and Nuclear Safety under the Cabinet of Ministers. The Committee also serves as the hosting agency for the European Union (EU) Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) Risk Mitigation Centres of Excellence (CoE) Regional Secretariat in Central Asia, an initiative co-implemented by UNICRI.

During these meetings, UNICRI's project team engaged with state authorities involved in countering RN trafficking, addressing topics such as the legal and regulatory framework, inter-agency coordination mechanisms, and available resources, including equipment, personnel, and training programs.

The meetings were part of the project's Priority Identification phase, which focuses on assessing strengths, capabilities, and identifying existing gaps and challenges about countering the trafficking of RN materials. It also provided an opportunity for UNICRI to present an overview of the project, its implementation phases, and a training curriculum on intelligence-led operations designed to assist security and law enforcement officers in preventing and countering RN trafficking.

The CONTACT Central Asia project aims to strengthen the capacities of security and law enforcement officials in Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan to combat RN illicit trafficking while promoting regional cooperation and information exchange regarding RN trafficking incidents. The initiative is implemented by UNICRI and is funded by the Norwegian Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority (DSA).