The 18th Regional Round-table Meeting for Eastern and Central African was organised by the European Commission, the United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute (UNICRI) and the CBRN CoE Regional Secretariat for ECA in close coordination with the Government of Zambia.

Participating countries, including Seychelles presented the latest development in regards to CBRN initiatives. During the ‘NFP Experience Sharing’ session, the NFP of Seychelles, Ms. Vanesia Dodin, also the Head of Disaster Risk Mitigation Unit of DRMD, presented a report on the CBRN Awareness Campaign Mission held in Seychelles earlier this year, March 2024. The mission spearheaded the sensitisation of CBRN initiatives with local stakeholders and brought visibility to the role of the NFP in Seychelles.

During this presentation, Ms. Dodin explained the various cross cutting issues in ensuring CBRN risk mitigation measures in Seychelles. However, Ms. Dodin also added that initiatives are being implemented and supported in spite of the lack of understanding and awareness on CBRN initiatives in Seychelles.

Other key points addressed in this meeting was the progress and planning of continuous development and implementation of various CBRN projects such as, the Project 99 – Strengthening Biosafety and Biosecurity Capabilities in Eastern and Central Africa. The thematic session ‘CBRN materials crossing borders in Africa’ were also discussed, as well as the methods of detection, identification and measures for controlling crossing borders.

The Disaster Risk Management Division welcomed Mr. Joshua Marie from the TODAY’s news agency for an interview today, Wednesday 27^th March 2024. The interview was in regards to the Chemical Biological Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) awareness workshop held at the Ephelia Resort yesterday, Tuesday 26^th March 2024.

Mr. Marie was clarified on the aims, activities and expected outcome of the CBRN awareness workshop by the European Union representatives; Mr. Louis Dey, the Regional Cooperation Officer for Eastern and Central Africa (UNICRI), Mr. Harro Wittermans, the Regional Coordinator for Eastern and Central Africa and Ms. Patricia Gitari, the On-Site Assistance CBRN Expert for Eastern and Central Africa, and Ms. Vanesia Dodin, the Focal Point for CBRN in Seychelles.