ISTC is supporting the newly-inaugurated Tajikistan National Academy of Sciences Regional Center for Protection and Ensuring Chemical, Biological, Radiation and Nuclear Safety in Dushanbe. The Center was commissioned by Tajikistan President, Emomali Rahmon, and Chairman of the Majlisi Oli, the Tajikistan Parliament, Rustami Emomali, on October 29. ISTC is one of the sponsors of the Center along with Tajikistan’s government and other international partners.

The facility with four floors and built on 35 acres with modern architectural design, will house 16 laboratories researching chemistry, immunology, virology, biology and biological safety and nuclear forensics for diagnosing chemical, biological, radiation and nuclear materials. The laboratories will implement the program, “Twenty Years of Study and Development of Natural, Exact and Mathematical Sciences in the Field of Science and Education”, and lays the foundation for fundamental research in domestic science. The laboratories are equipped with new equipment and technologies and are prepared to conduct research, diagnostics and analysis based on international standards.

Opening the laboratories will be an important step in strengthening security and scientific potential in Tajikistan as well as the Central Asian region. The Center will offer four classes where regional law enforcement and security professionals will undergo training to improve their knowledge and skills countering threats related to weapons of mass destruction and chemical, biological, radiation and nuclear terrorism. The Center will be one of the largest regional institutions for training personnel. To further develop international cooperation, the Center signed memorandums of cooperation with the Institute of Nuclear Physics of both Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan.

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