According to the Press Service of the State Committee of Industrial Safety of the Republic of Uzbekistan, the goal of the Initiative is to support partner countries and regions in strengthening CBRN risk reduction and security management of all hazards, following a voluntary and focused on demand approach. EU support is provided to implement a wide range of risk mitigation measures of CBRN, including needs and risk assessments, national and regional action plans, training, train-the-trainer modules, real-time tabletop and field exercises (including cross-border) in all 62 partner countries and 8 regional secretariats.
The initiative aims to prevent chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear incidents or disasters.
As part of this initiative, the Government of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute signed a Memorandum of Understanding on the establishment and operation of the EU CBRN CoE Regional Secretariat for Central Asia, on May 18, 2015, in Brussels.
The EU CBRN CoE Regional Secretariat for Central Asia, accredited by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Uzbekistan, began its activities by the Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of September 25, 2015, No. 275.
Taking into account the experience of cooperation and the implementation of several projects within the framework of the above initiative, as well as within the framework of studying the issue of accession of the Republic of Uzbekistan to the International Science and Technology Center (Kazakhstan), the delegation of Uzbekistan represented by representatives of the State Committee for Industrial Safety for the first time participated in the regular 74th meeting of the ISTC Board of Governors, in Almaty, Kazakhstan.
In the last decade, the participating countries have significantly advanced their scientific potential using a large number of joint projects. In this regard, the International Science and Technology Center (ISTC), being an intergovernmental organization, establishes business relations between scientists from Kazakhstan, Armenia, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan and Georgia with their colleagues from research centers of the EU, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Norway, the United States and other countries. The ISTC promotes international scientific projects and helps the global scientific and business community find and engage participating country institutions with unique scientific know-how to collaborate and conduct cutting-edge interdisciplinary research. Much of the ISTC’s resources are dedicated to applying science and technology to the problematic legacies of the past, especially maintaining the existing scientific capacity of institutions and researchers during severe economic crises. In the last decade, Kazakhstan has significantly advanced its scientific potential and has taken a leading role in the development of a large number of initiative projects of the ISTC. These are cooperation in seismology, nuclear expertise, reducing the risk of radioactive sources, strengthening the capacity to ensure nuclear non-proliferation, protection and security, and many others.
Reports, implementation of projects, as well as prospects for the future were heard at the regular 74th meeting of the ISTC Board of Governors.
It should be noted that Uzbekistan and the ISTC are cooperating within the framework of the European Union projects No. 53 “Strengthening the National Legal Framework and Provision of Specialized Training on Bio-Safety and Bio-Security in Central Asian Countries” and No. 87 aimed at readiness and response to public health threats, as well as other public health threats not only in Uzbekistan, but in Central Asia as a whole.
In Uzbekistan, as in any other country, there is a high probability of health incidents with a large crowd of people. In this regard, it is important to understand promptly the mechanisms for responding to these situations, taking into account the best foreign experience: first aid, coordination with relevant medical institutions. Within the framework of the European Union project No. 87, the issue of creating an Information and Advisory Toxicological Center in Uzbekistan is being considered. This structure will allow, among other things, to provide information to the public about any poisoning, help doctors in remote areas to consult with experts online, diagnose and treat.
In addition, within the framework of the European Union project No. 53, two mobile diagnostic laboratories were donated to the Republic of Uzbekistan with the support of the ISTC.
Mobile laboratories are intended to be placed in the nearest region with infrastructure near the source of infection and to carry out investigations in the event of an outbreak of infectious diseases. Unlike the usual stationary PCR laboratory, the mobile laboratory can be easily moved from one area to another, as well as can be put into working condition in a short period.
If the epidemic situation is stable, it is possible to carry out scientific and practical research in the territory of the scientific inspection center with the help of mobile laboratories. With the help of this laboratory, in addition to the diagnosis of infectious diseases, it is possible to take other tests that can be carried out by the PCR method.
A draft of the National Action Plan for the implementation of international documents in ensuring chemical, biological, radiation and nuclear safety for 2022-2024 has been developed to strengthen cooperation and study the issue of joining the ISTC, which includes a clause regarding the study of the issue of Uzbekistan joining the ISTC.
Georgia joined the ISTC on May 31, 1994, Armenia on September 14, 1994, Kazakhstan on December 6, 1994, Kyrgyzstan on September 18, 1995, and Tajikistan on February 5, 2003.
Work is ongoing on studying the accession of the Republic of Uzbekistan to the ISTC.
UzA
