The ISTC-implemented European Union Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear CBRN Risk Mitigation Centres of Excellence Initiative (EU CBRN CoE) Project 98 successfully launched in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on October 22 through 24 with a focus on enhancing CBRN emergency preparedness and response. ISTC’s role continues a partnership with the EU CBRN CoE, which covers a variety of projects addressing capacity building across the 63 Partner Countries of the Initiative, including advanced training to improve medical preparation and planning.

The Regional Kick-Off Conference for EU CBRN CoE Project 98 in Malaysia highlighted cross-sector collaboration among national stakeholders for scene management and medical care; capacity-building, including demonstrations at the Jalan Tun Razak Fire & Rescue station enabling hands-on learning and experience. Furthermore, regional and international partners - World Health Organization (WHO), ASEAN Mitigation of Biological Threats (MBT) Programme, Southeast Asian Regional Centre for Counter-Terrorism (SEARCCT), United States Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA), and United Kingdom Health Security Agency (UKHSA) – shared their capacity building activities in scene management, pre-hospital and hospital medical care, border control and field epidemiology training.

With over 10 years of dedicated collaboration in the CBRN Center of Excellence initiative, Malaysia and its regional partners reaffirmed their commitment to a safer and more resilient future. The ISTC and its Project 98 supporters are thankful to all participants for making the Regional Kick-Off Meeting in Kuala Lumpur a success.