Global Partnerships against Chemical and Explosives terrorism

Working together to address the threat of chemical and explosives terrorism

The Global Congress on Chemical Security and Emerging Threats

The Global Congress is an international network of more than 2,000 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 led by INTERPOL’s Chemical & Explosives Terrorism Prevention Unit, in partnership with Global Affairs Canada and the US Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA). It is implemented in coordination with the G7-led Global Partnership Against the Spread of Weapons and Materials of Mass Destruction.

Global Congress Advisory Bodies

The Global Congress is guided by three Advisory Bodies that provide strategic direction and support multi-sector collaboration.

Steering Committee

The Steering Committee is a multi-sectoral and multi-national advisory body that provides strategic guidance and support to the Global Congress's programming efforts. Its primary objective is to offer expert advice on Global Congress priorities, informed by the latest information and emerging threats.

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.

Launched in 2025, the Academic Advisory Group aims to increase academic and research sector representation, advocate for academic considerations in Global Congress programming, and highlight cutting-edge technologies as well as emerging threats in chemical security.

Plenary Meeting

The Global Congress Plenary is an annual meeting that brings together some 300 network members representing 100 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.

Evolving threat of chemical weapons calls for united front

Regional Peer to Peer Exchanges

The Global Congress Regional Peer to Peer Exchanges promote targeted information sharing and cross-sectoral collaboration to address regional challenges and bridge gaps in the supply chain. By amplifying awareness of distinct threats and trends, and harnessing the collective expertise of the Global Congress network, Regional Peer to Peer Exchanges drive sustainable growth and cooperation among key stakeholders. This includes expanding representation from underrepresented regions, to foster a more inclusive and representative community of practice.

Strategic Framework

The Global Congress has launched its Strategic Framework (2024-2026). As the Global Congress strives to become the global network of leading chemical security experts, it will continue to harness the strengths of its membership to build relationships, exchange expertise, share important information on emerging threats and innovative best practices, and ultimately enhance capabilities.

The Strategic Framework is comprised of three strategic goals and eleven corresponding objectives. While the goals and objectives have been at the heart of our mission since inception, it will serve as our blueprint for achieving our goals, optimising resources, and ensuring operational sustainability.

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. With 15 Global Congress webinars successfully held to date, they serve as a key platform for ongoing dialogue, fostering year-round engagement, and facilitating the exchange of knowledge and expertise among members.

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.

Find Out More

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