Sharing information critical to tackling chemical threats

BANGKOK, Thailand – In just six hours, an Artificial Intelligence (AI) system was able to create tens of thousands of chemical compounds that could be used as chemical weapons, demonstrating the potential for nefarious actors to exploit new technologies for lethal purposes.

Earlier this year, USB keys containing improvised explosive devices were delivered to several media stations in Ecuador, resulting in the publication of an INTERPOL Purple Notice to share critical crime-related information on new modus operandi.

Incidents such as these show how chemical threats are complex and varied, requiring a diverse set of strategies across the supply chain in order to combat them and strengthen global chemical security.

This week more than 300 experts from law enforcement, industry, international organizations, government and academia convened in Bangkok to share information, case studies and best practices on issues related to risk management, public/private partnerships and challenges in implementing effective chemical security.

The Global Chemical Congress and Emerging threats is a network of 1,500 experts in law enforcement, government, international organisations and industry.

The Global Chemical Congress was launched in 2018 with the aim of establishing a chemical security of practice that transcends borders, sectors and institutions.

Police Lieutenant General Prachuab Wongsuk, Assistant Commissioner General of the Royal Thai Police, said that we need to stay one step ahead of criminals in their pursuit to acquire dangerous chemicals to harm innocent lives.

During his opening remarks, INTERPOL Director, Organised and Emerging Crimes, pro tempore, Greg Hinds, said that successes depend on cooperation through information sharing platforms and networks such as the Global Congress.

INTERPOL Director, pro tempore, Catherine Colthart, emphasised that chemical security is a global responsibility in her opening remarks.

More than 1/4 of the participants at this year’s meeting were women.

Alan Grimmer, INTERPOL Coordinator, Chemical and Explosives Terrorism Prevention Unit, spoke on the evolving threat landscape related to chemicals and explosives.

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Police Lieutenant General, Assistant Commissioner-General of the Royal Thai Police said: “We need to stay one step ahead of criminals and terrorists in their pursuit to acquire dangerous chemicals to harm innocent lives. INTERPOL’s role in facilitating partnerships between law enforcement and government, as well as the private sector is key to ensuring that critical information is shared between the right people at the right time.”

Under the theme of Chemical Security in Action, this year’s plenary meeting also focused on emerging threats including nefarious use of 3D printing, pharmaceutical-based agents and AI.

Since its establishment in 2018, the Global Chemical Congress and Emerging Threats network has helped close security gaps by using a multi-sector approach and providing actionable information to participants.

The theme of this year’s meeting was Chemical Security in Action.

Cross-sectoral partnerships formed within the network have been instrumental in sharing important information, yielding stronger operational results.

The 4th annual meeting convened more than 300 delegates from 84 countries.

Speakers and panels delved into risks and threats associated with risk management, public/private partnerships, implementation challenges and emerging threats.

The Global Congress Network has seen significant growth in its five years, with expanded representation across all regions of the world and engagement in key sectors.

The Global Chemical Congress Network turns 5 this year with a renewed goal to reinforce a collective response to improving chemical security.

Emerging threats, including artificial intelligence, biological toxins, pharmaceutical based agents and threats related to 3D printing were also featured.

The Global Chemical Congress and Emerging Threats network has helped close security gaps by using a multi-sector approach.

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A private chemical company in the United States improved its policies and procedures for transporting chemical goods following last year’s meeting as a direct result of sharing best practices and viewing INTERPOL’s awareness raising video, ‘The Watchmaker’, which highlighted potential vulnerabilities across the supply chain.

INTERPOL’s Counter-Terrorism Director, pro tempore, Catherine Colthart, said: “Breaking down silos and strengthening our relationships across every area of the chemical supply chain is the only way we can secure dangerous chemicals from getting into the wrong hands. Chemical security is a global responsibility, and the focus of this network remains in supporting the partnerships that enable law enforcement and the international community to tackle this threat effectively.”

The Global Chemical Congress is an international network of more than 1,500 experts. It is jointly led by INTERPOL, the U.S. Cybersecurity, and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), the U.S. Defence Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) and the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and implemented in cooperation with the G7 Global Partnership Against the Spread of Weapons and Materials of Mass Destruction. The Global Congress receives additional support from Global Affairs Canada and the U.S. Department of State.