Spain’s Guardia Civil Explosives Deactivation – Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear (CADEX-CBRN) Training Centre in Madrid has been designated as an IAEA Collaborating Centre in Nuclear Security, in the area of response to nuclear security events. It is the first law enforcement organization to enter such a partnership with the Agency.

The designation agreement, valid for four years starting March 7, 2019, follows a cooperation agreement signed in September 2016 and an operational plan implemented in July 2018.

“This partnership will enable us to strengthen our support to Spanish-speaking countries,” said IAEA Deputy Director General Juan Carlos Lentijo, Head of the Department of Nuclear Safety and Security. “Guardia Civil’s expertise in law-enforcement training, including in nuclear security, will help the Agency better assist countries in efforts to sustain their ability to respond to criminal acts involving nuclear or other radioactive material.”

CADEX-CBRN will support IAEA’s efforts to strengthen nuclear security by developing curricula for law enforcement forces, by hosting workshops and by designing and delivering nuclear security exercises. It will also contribute experts to IAEA advisory services.

“The signature of this agreement constitutes a milestone” said Permanent Representative of Spain, Ambassador Senén Florensa Palau. “This cooperation framework will facilitate the implementation of important law enforcement prevention and preparedness measures in nuclear security.”

The first activity under the agreement will be an International Workshop on Developing a National Framework for Managing Response to Nuclear Security Events, to be held at CADEX-CBRN within the coming year.

The Hungarian Academy of Sciences Centre for Energy Research also is an IAEA Collaborating Centre in Nuclear Security; and focuses? on nuclear forensic science to support legal proceedings.?

The Agency collaborates with designated Member State institutions to promote the sustainable benefits of safe and secure peaceful application of nuclear science and technology. The collaboration with the 34 designated centres focuses on research, development and training.