Modern chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) threats are multifaceted which can make them difficult to predict and counter. The use of radioactive and toxic chemical substances such as polonium-210 (2006 poisoning of Alexander Litvinenko), VX (2017 poisoning of Kim Jong-Nam), and Novichok (2018 poisoning of Sergei Skripal and 2020 poisoning of Alexei Navalny) is a case in point. Ensuring sustainable capacities for tackling CBRN threats at the national level requires an all-hazard approach to the mitigation of CBRN risks regardless of their origins, i.e. whether these occur as a result of natural phenomena, such as disasters, or as a result of accidents, or misuse.

On 20 October 2022 the Center for the Study of Democracy held an expert workshop on Prevention of Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (CBRN) Threats which brought together representatives of law enforcement agencies, national security sector, and civil society including academia. The event provided a platform for deliberation on the effective management of CBRN security risks.

On 23 November 2022 the Center for the Study of Democracy together with partners from Germany, Greece, and Spain held an international conference on Countering the misuse of CBRN materials and related information. The goal of the conference was to advance dialogue on emerging CBRN threats and foster the exchange of experience and promising practices for enhancing preparedness and response to deliberate CBRN events. Further information about this event can be found here.