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

Speaking at the end of the three-day workshop on preventing bioterrorism hosted by the Royal Oman Police in Muscat, Mr Noble said the time had come for the swift implementation of the Arab Interior Ministers’ Council decision to create such a base in the region.

“As it stands now, much critical intelligence on international crime and terrorism is lost because you have no regional bureau where you can work side by side with police colleagues speaking the same language, understanding the same culture and facing many similar challenges,” said Secretary General Noble.

“The success of this bioterrorism prevention workshop was only possible because you worked closely together, exchanging ideas and solutions. Imagine the results which could be achieved through the creation of a Sub-Regional Bureau where law enforcement could benefit from this level of energy and co-operation on a daily basis.”

Mr Noble encouraged the participants to continue to build on the knowledge they had gained at the workshop and to support the creation of Bioterrorism Emergency Support Teams (BESTs). Comprising police and public health professionals, the BESTs would provide assistance and expert advice on how to prevent, investigate and respond to any potential or actual bioterrorist event.

In the workshop outcome statement, delegates welcomed a proposal to hold a ‘train the trainer’ session in the region before the end of 2007 to further develop bioterrorism prevention expertise.

“This workshop has proved that given the right conditions for co-operation, a close working environment, a shared goal, great advances can be made. It is these conditions that we want to provide for our National Central Bureaus through the creation of a Sub-Regional Bureau for the Middle East and North Africa,” said Mr Noble.

“I look forward to working with our member countries’ NCBs, the law enforcement community as a whole and governments in the region to make this dream a reality.”

INTERPOL is the world’s largest police organization, with 186 member countries. There are currently seven Sub-Regional Bureaus around the world in addition to a liaison office at the United Nations in New York.