Global Network

Working together to address the threat of chemical and explosives terrorism

Partnerships

We collaborate with other organizations, agencies and governments to prevent and minimize the impact of terrorism. This includes participation at international conferences and sitting on various panels and working groups.

The Global Congress on Chemical Security and Emerging Threats

The Global Congress (GC) is an international network of more than 1,500 experts who work together to address the threat of chemical and explosives terrorism.

By providing a platform for multi-sector global cooperation and partnership, the Global Congress enables members to build relationships, exchange expertise, share important information on emerging threats and innovative best practices, and ultimately enhance capabilities. This diverse range of stakeholders including private industry and law enforcement agencies facilitates a comprehensive approach to addressing chemical security challenges.

The network carries out activities across various areas of expertise.

Launched in 2018, the Global Congress is jointly led by INTERPOL, Global Affairs Canada, US Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), the US Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) and the US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). It is implemented in coordination with the G7 Global Partnership Against the Spread of Weapons and Materials of Mass Destruction.

Industry Advisory Group

The Industry Advisory Group (IAG) aims to address the needs and challenges faced by the industry sector through targeted representation. Made up of subject-matter experts, the Advisory Group provides insights and advice on threats, trends, and opportunities for the private sector, as well as for the wider Global Congress network.

Plenary Meeting

The Global Congress Plenary is an annual meeting that brings together some 300 network members representing more than 80 countries to discuss the latest trends, threats and best practices being employed worldwide.

Panel discussions and presentations highlight key challenges and issues that are witnessed locally and taking place globally, setting the stage for candid debates on applicable mitigation methods. This enables the network to identify solutions to better detect, deter and disrupt the acquisition or criminal use of chemical and explosive materials.

The Plenary also acts as a focal point for the network and, since 2018, it has seen substantial success in breaking down silos across sectors and countries to provide a consolidated international response to chemical security led by network members. For example, Network members from private industry and law enforcement have identified shared goals and began collaborative relationships to address chemical security challenges.

Steering Committee

Set up in 2022, the Steering Committee acts as a multi-sectoral, multi-national advisory body for Global Congress priorities and activities. Current members represent 10 sectors and 15 countries.

The Steering Committee has engaged in a series of sector-focused discussions to highlight significant concerns that may affect the wider Global Congress community and identify opportunities to engage in cross-sector collaboration to improve countermeasures.

Webinars

Webinars provide network members with an opportunity to further explore chemical security issues, emerging threats, and recent events by delving deeply into topics of interest to the network. The webinars attract a high level of participation as members are eager to hear from experts to discuss case studies, sector-specific mitigating strategies and best practices to improve chemical security worldwide.

Upcoming events:

Women Leaders in Action – Convergence of Impactful leadership and Chemical Security

29 April 2024 | 14:00 – 16:00 (CEST)

To register, please contact chemcongress@interpol.int

Request for Technical Assistance

Global Congress members can flag knowledge and capacity gaps, which are then aligned to the relevant skillset across the network. This process plays a key role in developing new mechanisms that encourage peer-to-peer learning, information-sharing and capacity building.

GC Global Knowledge Hub

This online platform serves as a key mechanism to operationalize and leverage the expertise of the Global Congress Network, allowing members to share information and resources, engage in discussions and access training material and best practice guidance.

Find Out More

Join the Conversation at #GlobalChemCongress
For all information on this initiative and other CBRNE projects, follow our Twitter account @INTERPOL_CBRNE