INTERPOL President Jackie Selebi addressing participants in the Bio-Terrorism Workshop

CAPE TOWN, South Africa – INTERPOL's first African Regional Workshop on Preventing Bioterrorism ended on Wednesday with delegates endorsing a number of important initiatives aimed at developing the preparedness of African nations, both individually and as a whole, to counter the threat of bioterrorism.

The three-day meeting in Cape Town brought together more than 90 representatives from 41 countries, including police chiefs or their representatives, and health, scientific and academic experts.

Delegates acknowledged the importance of enhancing partnerships and co-ordination between police and other agencies locally, nationally and internationally, in particular to:

• secure information from the widest range of sources to enable regular threat and risk assessments to be made;
  
  
• ensure preparedness in terms of establishing appropriate national legislation, inter-agency protocols, joint working procedures, early warning systems, equipment and regular training;
  
  
• enable the implementation of the necessary measures to prevent, respond to and investigate bioterrorism.

In addition, it was agreed to seek the assistance of the Southern African Regional Police Chiefs Cooperation Organisation (SARPCCO), the East African Police Chiefs Co-operation Organization (EAPCCO), the West African Police Chiefs Committee (WAPCCO) and the Central African Police Chiefs Organisation (CAPCO) to ensure such communication is maintained where appropriate.

The use of INTERPOL’s global police communications system, I-24/7, was also recognised as a valuable tool in information-sharing to address the threat of bioterrorism.

Each country has now been tasked with identifying an individual to be responsible for maintaining contact with the INTERPOL General Secretariat on bioterrorism issues, and also to establish a working relationship with their counterpart in the relevant health authority.

'While everyone agrees there is much work to be done in preparing to face the threat of bioterrorism, this workshop has given all participants a strong starting point,' INTERPOL President Jackie Selebi said. 'It is now up to those individuals who came to Cape Town to develop their knowledge about preventing bioterrorism to return home and pass on the skills and expertise they have learned here.'

'Terrorists constantly adapt the manner in which they operate, and this is why INTERPOL is assisting its member countries to recognise and address these changing threats, such as bioterrorism,' said INTERPOL Secretary General Ronald K. Noble. 'This workshop has provided a strong springboard for our other regional workshops, which will assist in further developing the knowledge and expertise of police in all of our member countries.'

Two further bioterrorism prevention workshops will be held in Singapore and Chile in 2006, and a second African Regional Bioterrorism Prevention Workshop will be held in Kenya.

News and Media Releases   Interpol bioterrorism workshop adopts co-operation measures        Interpol bioterrorism workshop opens in South Africa      Speeches   Speech by Jackie Selebi, President, Interpol   Speech by Ronald K. Noble, Secretary General, Interpol See also   All Interpol bioterrorism workshops and events   Outcome statement       Photo gallery