Against the backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic – the biggest crisis of our lifetime – the threat posed by dangerous CBRN materials is high, with special need to focus attention on biological threats. Criminal actors are taking advantage of vulnerabilities in society exposed by the COVID-19 pandemic worldwide.
The threats derived from the misuse of CBRN agents and materials know no boundaries, which makes international cooperation critical. COVID-19 serves as a devastating reminder of this. In these extremely challenging times, when people all around the world are experiencing health, economic, and social crises simultaneously, the UNICRI CBRN programme has proven to be an effective network for international cooperation based upon a common understanding of risks and a global commitment to jointly share responsibilities.
This issue of the Freedom From Fear Magazine focuses on CBRN risk mitigation to honor the victims of CBRN catastrophes, who guide us in our quest for lasting peace and security.
