The University of Maryland School of Public Policy hosted a high-profile kickoff event on November 7, 2024, to launch Phase II of the Project, "Strengthening Biosafety and Biosecurity in Latin America in line with UNSCR 1540 (2004)." Held at the Adele H. Stamp Student Union, this inaugural event gathered key stakeholders, including experts from the Secretariat of the Inter-American Committee against Terrorism of the Organization of American States (CICTE/OAS), representatives from 11 participating Latin American countries, and personnel from the National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism (START) and the School of Public Policy.
Funded by the European Union, this three-year project aims to enhance biosafety and biosecurity measures across Latin America. It is aligned with United Nations Security Council Resolution 1540, which mandates states to adopt robust frameworks to prevent the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, particularly biological threats. The project’s objectives focus on strengthening regulatory frameworks, promoting international compliance, developing comprehensive training and outreach initiatives, and fostering a resilient network of public and private sector stakeholders across the region.
START’s Pivotal Role in Regional Threat Assessment and Training
Representing START, Dr. Steve Sin, Ms. Liberty Day, Ms. Alexandra Williams, and Ms. Brandi Gronczniak contributed to discussions on biosafety and biosecurity challenges. As a partner organization to CICTE/OAS, START provided critical insights into the regional threat landscape and highlighted its comprehensive threat assessments conducted for the participating countries during Phase I of the project. Dr. Sin underscored the value of these assessments in shaping the project’s implementation strategies, emphasizing how they informed the development of online professional training courses for laboratory personnel and policymakers.
These training modules, developed by START, have been lauded by both regional participants and CICTE/OAS experts. As a required component for attendees of in-person training sessions, these online courses offer foundational knowledge in biosecurity and biosafety, enhancing the preparedness of stakeholders across Latin America. By integrating these assessments into the project’s training regimen, START reinforces the initiative’s goal of establishing a baseline of expertise and elevating biosecurity standards regionally.
Opening Remarks and University Support
The event commenced with remarks from Ms. Violanda Boet, Deputy Executive Secretary of CICTE, who emphasized the strategic significance of the project for Latin American countries as they advance their biotechnology sectors. Dr. Nancy Gallagher, from the University of Maryland School of Public Policy, welcomed the attendees, reaffirming the University’s commitment to collaborating with CICTE/OAS and other partners in the project. She emphasized the critical role that academic research and training institutions play in building regional security capacity.
Ongoing Collaboration and Support
START and other University of Maryland entities will continue their partnership with CICTE/OAS, supporting the project with research, education, and technical expertise. As the project advances, START’s role in threat assessment and training development will remain crucial to establishing resilient and effective biosafety and biosecurity measures across Latin America.
For more information on START’s prior work supporting CICTE/OAS, please visit “Biosecurity in the Americas: Research, Practitioner Education/Training and Transition.”