The United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute (UNICRI) is proud to announce the successful conclusion of a comprehensive national training event in Morocco. The event aimed at fortifying the country’s capabilities in combating chemical weapons threats from non-State actors and was organized and delivered by a team of Moroccan national experts, trained within the framework of the project “Preventing non-state actors from planning and carrying out chemical weapons attacks through intelligence-led operations” (ATLAS).
From 4 to 6 December 2023, the Moroccan team conducted training modules and tabletop exercises to strengthen the nation’s capabilities in preventing chemical weapons attacks orchestrated by non-State actors. The focus was on the use of intelligence operations and fostering inter-agency cooperation. The wide-ranging event covered topics such as national and international legal frameworks, an overview of the chemical terrorist threat, the role of financial intelligence, national roles and responsibilities, cybersecurity, border control, weak signals (early indicators), and the response to a chemical event. The Moroccan expert team shared their knowledge and insights, equipping participants with the latest tools and techniques to address the evolving challenge of chemical terrorism.
With the joint UNICRI-Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) team in attendance to support and observe the event, the team of twelve government officials representing key Moroccan agencies assumed the role of trainers and event organizers. The Moroccan trainers and participants came from a diverse array of institutions, including the Ministry of the Interior, the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, Intelligence services, Customs, the Armed Forces, the Gendarmerie, the Auxiliary Forces, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Civil Protection. This collaborative, inter-agency approach emphasized the importance of a unified response to terrorist threats, acknowledging the interconnected nature of contemporary security challenges.
UNICRI remains committed to supporting Morocco in its efforts to strengthen national security and respond effectively to evolving chemical weapon threats. By embracing the “train-the-trainers” approach, UNICRI strives to establish a sustainable training network within the country, to ensure the institutionalization and continued dissemination of expert knowledge.
About ATLAS: Preventing non-State actors from planning and carrying out chemical weapons attacks through intelligence-led operations.
Atlas is a pilot project which aims to prevent non-state actors from planning and carrying out chemical weapons attacks by developing and implementing training programmes in North Africa. Designed within the framework of the European Union (EU) Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) Centres of Excellence (CoE) Initiative, the ATLAS project is implemented by the United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute, in cooperation with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and with the financial support of the United States (US) Department of State (DoS).
For more information about the ATLAS project, please click here.
