Training course on identifying goods related to chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and explosive (CBRNE) weapons for focal point units in the southern region

From 22 to 25 July 2024, in Ho Chi Minh City, the Standing Office of the National Focal Point for countering the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (Standing Office 81), in cooperation with the Department of Domestic Security of the Ministry of Public Security and the Export Control and Related Border Security Program of the US Department of State (EXBS Program), organised the training course “Identifying goods related to chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and explosive (CBRNE) weapons for focal point units in the southern region”.

Participants in the training course pose for a group photo

Senior Colonel Nguyen Dinh Hien, Deputy Commander and Chief of Staff of the Chemical Corps and Deputy Head of Standing Office 81, delivers the opening remarks at the training course

The training course was held in a hybrid format, combining in-person and online participation, with 15 connected locations. The main location in Ho Chi Minh City was co-chaired by Senior Colonel Nguyen Dinh Hien, Deputy Commander and Chief of Staff of the Chemical Corps and Deputy Head of Standing Office 81; Major General Vo Hung Minh, Deputy Director of the Department of Domestic Security, Ministry of Public Security; and Ms Christina Le, Chief of the Political Section of the US Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City. It was attended by 34 delegates representing the focal point units for countering the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction in the southern region and ministries and sectors such as the Ministry of Public Security, the Ministry of Science and Technology, the Ministry of Industry and Trade and the Ministry of Health, as well as CBRNE experts from the EXBS Program. The other 14 locations were at the headquarters of military regions and army corps across the armed forces and of the focal point units in Cao Bang, Da Nang, Binh Thuan and Binh Duong.

The training course in session (1)

At the training course, the experts presented and shared experience on: (1) an overview of chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear weapons and the threats posed by CBRNE-related equipment and materials; (2) practical methods for identifying CBRNE-related equipment and materials in order to prevent their use for terrorist purposes; (3) Vietnam's regulations on the management of CBRNE materials and chemicals, counter-terrorism, and countering the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. During the practical exercises on identification methods, participants were exposed to a wide range of scenarios involving CBRNE-related equipment and materials, with an expanded scope and updates on the situation and new trends in countering CBRNE terrorism worldwide, thereby helping to raise the awareness and capacity of focal point units in countering the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.

The training course in session (2)

As part of the training programme, participants also visited and observed a demonstration of the plan “Countering terrorism using weapons of mass destruction”, conducted by the Southern Branch of Standing Office 81 in coordination with the relevant agencies and units.

The content presented at the training course will help raise the awareness and capacity of focal point units to implement the Government's Decree No. 81/2019 on countering the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, and help promote Vietnam's implementation of United Nations Security Council resolutions and the international treaties on countering the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.

Nguyen Van Vuong - Centre 81