News and Media Releases   Secretary General calls for creation of Middle East Interpol Sub-Regional Bureau (21/03/2007)        Outcome Statement (21/03/2007)        Interpol regional bioterrorism prevention workshop opens in Oman (19/03/2007)      Speeches   Closing remarks by Interpol Secretary General Ronald K. Noble (21/03/2007)        Speech by Interpol Secretary General Ronald K. Noble (19/03/2007)      See also   Initial notification         Photo gallery

It was attended by 62 delegates from 15 countries, including senior police officers, government representatives, and the health, scientific and academic communities.

The delegates acknowledged the role played by Interpol and its member countries in co-ordinating the series of regional workshops on bioterrorism prevention, and commended the Oman authorities for hosting the workshop.

Participants recognised the value of participating in a table top exercise, enabling them to better understand the bioterrorism threat and the need to develop an integrated response plan.

Delegates acknowledged that the work undertaken must continue when they return home, by:

• Ensuring that information is shared between health and law enforcement agencies to enable regular threat and risk assessments
• Encourage the creation of appropriate national legislation, inter-agency protocols, joint working procedures, early warning systems, equipment and regular training
• Further develop the necessary measures to prevent, respond to and investigate bioterrorism.

A proposal to hold a ‘train the trainers’ session in the region before the end of 2007 was also welcomed by delegates to further develop bioterrorism prevention and expertise. The session would also help identify countries to support the creation of a Bioterrorism Emergency Support Team (BEST) comprising police and public health professionals who will provide expert advice to on-site commanders for crime scene investigation purposes during potential bioterrorist events.

Interpol’s Bioterrorism Pre-planning and Response Guide and the Interpol Bioterrorism Prevention Resource Centre were also recognised by delegates as providing relevant and useful information.

Each country was also asked to identify an individual to be responsible for maintaining contact with Interpol’s Bioterrorism Prevention Unit at the General Secretariat on bioterrorism issues, who would also identify and work with their counterparts within their national health authorities.