Equipping and Training the Border Troops of Tajikistan to Combat Radiological and Nuclear Terrorism
As part of efforts to enhance security along the border between Tajikistan and Afghanistan, and combat the illegal trafficking of radiological and nuclear (R/N) materials, the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT) provided equipment and training to the national authorities of the Republic of Tajikistan. The support was delivered in partnership with and thanks to funding from the European Union (EU).
Equipment Handover Ceremony
On 9 October 2024, an official ceremony was held at the Regional Educational and Training Center on Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (CBRN) Safety and Security and Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) Counter-Terrorism in Dushanbe. This event marked the formal handover of equipment to national authorities, which will be deployed at five border crossing points along the Tajikistan-Afghanistan border to detect and prevent potential smuggling of R/N materials by terrorist groups. The equipment consists of 30 personal radiation detection (PRD) monitors for the Border Troops and one four-wheel drive vehicle for the CBRN Safety and Security Agency to conduct secondary investigations of suspicious radiation.
During his opening remarks, the Director of the CBRN Safety and Security Agency of Tajikistan, Mr. Ilhom Mirsaidzoda, reiterated his government＊s commitment to enhancing its border Security infrastructure and acknowledged that the delivery of equipment and training ※will not only enhance national security but also contribute to regional and global stability§.
Ms. Parvathy Ramaswami, the United Nations (UN) Resident Coordinator for Tajikistan, noted that ※Central Asia is one of the priority regions for the UN＊s counter-terrorism efforts and the UN is committed, through UNOCT and other UN partners, to supporting the efforts of the national authorities in line with the Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy and Security Council resolutions§.
Mr. Wahed Moez, from the European Union Delegation in Tajikistan, commended the fruitful collaboration between the European Union and UNOCT, and emphasized that ※the border security of Tajikistan has an impact on the external border security of the European Union."
Hands-On Training for the Border Troops
Following the handover of the equipment, a two-day training was organized for 30 personnel from the Border Troops of the Republic of Tajikistan deployed along the border with Afghanistan.. Participants were trained in the use, maintenance, and storage of the PRD monitors provided by UNOCT, ensuring sustained functionality and effective use over time.
The training also covered R/N security, nuclear terrorism threats, and best practices for responding to suspicious radiation incidents. Emphasis was placed on effective and practical implementation of the International Convention for the Suppression of Acts of Nuclear Terrorism (ICSANT), ratified by Tajikistan in 2022.
Strengthening Border Security and Counter-Terrorism
The recent report of the Secretary-General on the threat posed by ISIL (Da＊esh) underscores the increasing capacity of its affiliate in Afghanistan, ISIL-K, to project threats and conduct attacks beyond Afghanistan＊s borders. Tajikistan＊s geographic position puts it on the front line of efforts to ensure regional security, particularly in the context of countering radiological and nuclear threats.
Through the provision of specialized equipment and capacity-building training, UNOCT is contributing to Tajikistan's enhanced capacity to detect, prevent, and respond to cross-border trafficking of R/N materials, in line with United Nations Security Council resolution 1540 (2004) (S/RES/2004) and ICSANT.
This technical assistance was provided by UNOCT through the EU-UN Global Terrorism Threats Facility and the project on Supporting the effective implementation of ICSANT, also funded by the EU. The project is implemented by the Global Programme on Countering Terrorist Use of Weapons of the United Nations Counter-Terrorism Centre (UNCCT) within UNOCT, in collaboration with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).