Cambodian officials take part in UNODA controlled biological agents workshop

Cambodian government officials as well as legal and technical experts from the country met in Phnom Penh on 26-27 March for a workshop focused on efforts to establish a national registry of controlled biological agents.

The workshop was organised by the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA) in close collaboration with the Cambodian National Authority for Chemical Weapons. The activity was made possible with financial support from the European Union. 

According to a press release from UNODA, over 25 national representatives exchanged perspectives on opportunities and challenges related to the development of such a registry. Discussions were facilitated by a series of presentations, briefings and scenario-based learning.

In her opening remarks on behalf of UNODA, associate political affairs officer, Wenjie Wang, underscored that establishing a registry would be key in supporting the Biological Weapons Convention's core purpose to prevent the misuse of biological agents. "Taking effective and transparent stock of relevant biological agents and toxins minimises the risk of malicious actors intentionally releasing dangerous pathogens and investigations in cases of accidental release," UNODA wrote. 

Leading ASEAN with new software

The workshop began with discussion between participants on actions already undertaken by Cambodia to support the formalising of a national control list of recognised pathogens between different agencies. An overview on legal aspects was provided by Thomas Brown, VERTIC, to support participants in considering legal aspects related to the establishment of a national control list and a national registry.

Participants then completed a series of table-top exercises facilitated by Iris Vennis, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) in the Netherlands, that related to data collection and categorisation. Rik Bleijs, RIVM, also presented on an updated software tool for a national registry of biological agents on the opening of the second day.

In a closing ceremony, General Phorn Nara, the secretary general of National Authority for Chemical Weapons, highlighted the opportunity for Cambodia to act as a leader in the region as the first ASEAN member to receive the updated software. He also emphasised the support provided by the European Union and UNODA as key to strengthening national and regional capacities for handling biological risks. 

Andreas Berg, deputy head of mission and head of the political, press and information section of the EU delegation to Cambodia, and Marykate Monaghan, associate political affairs officer, UNODA, also provided remarks.