CBRN risk mitigation meeting for Southeast Asia kicks off in Laos

VIENTIANE, April 29 (Xinhua) -- The European Union Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) Risk Mitigation Centers of Excellence Initiative hosted a regional meeting to review progress on CBRN risk mitigation and explore opportunities for regional cooperation.

The 24th National Focal Points Regional Strategic Coordination Meeting for Southeast Asia, held here from April 28 to 30, gathered representatives and experts from members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), the European Union (EU), the United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute (UNICRI), and relevant sectors in Laos.

The meeting aimed to review the progress of CBRN activities in Southeast Asia, with reports from the Regional Coordinator and ASEAN focal points on their countries' priority initiatives supported by the EU.

The participants also discussed cooperation frameworks between partner countries and the EU, focusing on regional CBRN priorities and the potential development of a regional CBRN risk reduction plan.

In his speech, Lao Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Maythong Thammavongsa emphasized the meeting's focus on updating national implementation efforts, discussing new project opportunities, and exploring additional assistance under the European Union Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Risk Mitigation Centers of Excellence Initiative.

He also highlighted the value of international collaboration in enhancing preparedness and response capacity. Enditem