Launch of the Roadmap on Countering Terrorist Threats against Vulnerable Targets in C?te d¡¯Ivoire
As part of the United Nations Global Programme on Countering Terrorist Threats against Vulnerable Targets, the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT), in collaboration with the Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate (CTED) and the United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute (UNICRI), organized a three-day workshop in Abidjan, on 25¨C27 November 2024.
The event aimed to launch C?te d¡¯Ivoire¡¯s Roadmap for countering terrorist threats against vulnerable targets and provide an introductory capacity-building session on protecting critical infrastructure and public spaces. It brought together 26 participants from 15 Ivorian Ministries and agencies, alongside experts from France, the African Union Counter-Terrorism Centre, the International Maritime Organization (IMO), UNICRI, CTED, and various UNOCT programmes.
The opening session featured senior officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Defense and Security Advisor to the President of the Republic of C?te d¡¯Ivoire, CTED, and UNOCT. The session was followed by the formal launch of the Roadmap, which included presentations on its development process, objectives, and key measures for enhancing the protection of vulnerable targets in C?te d¡¯Ivoire. Experts from C?te d¡¯Ivoire¡¯s Office on the Planning of Vulnerable Targets (BPSS) shared insights into the country¡¯s existing frameworks, challenges, and opportunities for improvement.
The workshop also offered a training on critical aspects of protecting vulnerable targets and international good practices contained in the UN Compendium of Good Practices on Critical Infrastructure Protection. Participants examined emerging threats such as cybersecurity risks, the use of CBRN agents by terrorists and the use of autonomous and remotely operated systems. Moreover, they discussed security measures for urban centers, tourist sites, and religious locations. Gender and human rights considerations were integrated into the workshop in compliance with international standards.
The last day of the event focused on fostering partnerships among government agencies, the private sector, and civil society. The experience of France in adapting law enforcement agencies to the evolving terrorist threat was presented, focusing on lessons learned and operational crisis management. The workshop concluded with a summary of its key outcomes and commitments to achieve the Roadmap¡¯s objectives.
The Roadmap is the result of extensive consultations conducted with Ivorian authorities in June 2024 to identify priorities and needs in protecting critical infrastructure and ¡°soft¡± targets. Based on the Roadmap, tailored capacity-building and a subregional activities are being further implemented.
Generously funded by France, this workshop demonstrates C?te d¡¯Ivoire¡¯s commitment to implementing United Nations Security Council Resolutions and , as well as the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy.
