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From 9 to 13 February 2026, Almaty is hosting a regional training on countering bioterrorism, organized by the United Nations Counter-Terrorism Centre (UNCCT) under the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT), with financial support from the Republic of Kazakhstan. The event brings together national experts from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan.
The training focuses on three key components: an advanced biological threats course, a biological countermeasures course, and a command-post (in-house) exercise on responding to a biological incident. Participants are provided with a practical framework to enhance awareness of biological risks, strengthen biosafety and biosecurity, and develop countermeasures applicable to law enforcement agencies, government institutions, and industry representatives.
Special attention is given to public health as a critical component of national security. In an increasingly interconnected world, biological threats, including zoonotic infections that can be transmitted from animals to humans, may arise naturally or be deliberately misused. In this context, epidemiological surveillance systems, safe laboratory practices, and rapid detection and containment capacities are essential.
During the scenario-based exercises, participants practice interagency coordination in response to a simulated bioterrorism incident involving law enforcement, customs and migration services, public health authorities, and policy-making bodies. This format strengthens cross-sectoral coordination and enhances preparedness for complex biological events.
The training also aligns with the objectives of the One Health Program for Pandemic Prevention, Food System Resilience, and Ecosystem Health in Central Asia, emphasizing the importance of preventing zoonotic diseases, strengthening laboratory capacity, and enhancing biosafety systems in the region.
The One Health Program is financed by the World Bank and implemented by a quadripartite group comprising the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the World Health Organization (WHO), the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH), and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). The Regional Environmental Centre for Central Asia (CAREC) serves as the program coordinator.
Overall, the regional training on countering bioterrorism aims to strengthen the existing capacities of Central Asian countries to prevent and respond to biological threats, reinforce the role of public health, and enhance readiness for coordinated action in the event of biological emergencies.
Additional information:
Oxana Kravtsova - Regional One Health Program Coordinator, okravtsova@carececo.org
Irina Bubenko - Regional One Health Program Specialist, ibubenko@carececo.org
Regional Environmental Centre for Central Asia (CAREC)