CBRN Training Phase III Launches In Abu Dhabi As UAE And EU Expand Cooperation

The Federal Public Prosecution launched the third phase of a regional training programme aimed at improving investigations into crimes involving chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear materials, known as CBRN crimes. The initiative formed part of a strategic partnership with the European Union and took place under the patronage of Dr. Hamad Saif Al Shamsi, UAE Attorney-General.

The latest phase centred on a specialised course for prosecutors in Abu Dhabi, titled "Building a Case for the Prosecution of CBRN Crimes". The opening session highlighted how advanced legal skills and technical knowledge could strengthen investigations and prosecutions, with a focus on complex cross-border threats that concern both the UAE and international partners.

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Lucy Berger, Ambassador of the European Union to the United Arab Emirates, attended the opening as guest of honour. Berger was invited by the Regional Secretariat of the CBRN Risk Mitigation Centres of Excellence, reflecting the EU’s engagement with the region. During the event, Berger delivered the opening speech, emphasising the central role of international collaboration in tackling CBRN crimes.

Speaking to the Emirates News Agency after the session, Berger described the level of collaboration with the UAE in CBRN crimes. Berger said that the EU has "very great cooperation" with the United Arab Emirates in area of CBRN crimes, and that it wants to "leverage this bilateral cooperation and build it into a regional one".

Berger linked the Abu Dhabi training to broader regional ambitions. "Working with UAE hand in hand, could help us to build a collaboration not only in the GCC, but across all the Arab states. That's, I think, what we would like to see going forward," she added. The course also drew participants from other GCC member states.

The ambassador noted that this regional presence was a practical strength of the programme. She said that one of the strengths that she actually values in the cooperation with the UAE is the collaboration with the Gulf States. "In this training, we also had participants from other GCC member states, and we would like to see this cooperation grow." She added, "So I think one of the strength is the cross crossboard corporation across the GCC."

CBRN crimes best practices and legal capacity building

During the opening, Berger underlined the need to build specialised judicial capacities to address CBRN crimes. The focus on prosecutors aimed to improve case preparation, evidence handling and coordination with technical experts. Later, Berger told WAM that the number one way of complementing the UAE’s experience, legal framework and prosecution is, in fact, sharing best practices.

Berger explained how the EU’s internal experience supported this exchange. "We do have a lot of best practices across the European Union, because, we have the advantage of having 27 member states who already cooperate together quite a lot. And I think this is how we try to contribute to the UAE's evolving environment when it comes to prosecution of CBRN cases.

"We share what we do, and we share what we've learned over the years, but I also think that we are at the stage that we learn also from the UAE, and we try to take it also into account into our ways of dealing with CBRN cases." Her comments indicated a two-way flow of expertise between institutions in Europe and the UAE.

Evolving CBRN crimes threats and European Union security focus

Berger also addressed the risks linked to new technologies within CBRN related crimes. About the challenges in area of CBRN related crimes, the ambassador said, "I think, currently, one of the greatest challenges is also that it's an area that keeps evolving. We have new technologies implicated in CBRN related crimes. This is also where we need to continuously work together, and we have to continue build capacity, but also, we have to continue learning how to, and inventing how to handle such crimes."

The ambassador concluded, "In European Union, we are increasingly focusing on our own security, and we're building capacities, and we're looking for partners, with whom we can work on security related measures as well." The Abu Dhabi training formed part of this effort, linking EU security priorities with the UAE’s growing role in regional CBRN crimes cooperation and legal capacity building.

With inputs from WAM