On April 16th, 2024 RACVIAC C-WMD Network organized the Inaugural Annual Regional Forum on Trend Analysis of WMD Threats and Risks in partnership with the institutions of Bosnia and Herzegovina: the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Defense, the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations, the Ministry of Security and the State Regulatory Agency for Radiation and Nuclear Safety, with the continuous support from US European Command (USEUCOM) and Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA).
The concept behind this Annual Regional Trends Forum is to establish an annual platform for the South East European C-WMD Network countries to analyse and discuss the regional trends of WMD proliferation threats and their risks. The ultimate goals are the fostering of regional cooperation and dialogue in the field of C-WMD between RACVIAC C-WMD Network countries and to raise the importance of risk analysis, particularly those identified in the trend analysis process.
The Regional Trends Forum will focus on the analysis and interpretation of open-source data relating to regional WMD counter proliferation trends and their impact on the states within the region, and particularly those associated with the RACVIAC C-WMD Network. Through this structure it is anticipated that the participants will share the results of scientific research produced by the lead analytical group from Bosnia and Herzegovina. Additionally, the analytical group will also incorporate perspectives of regional subject matter experts and representatives of international organisations.
The Roundtable was opened by Mrs. Aida Hodžić, Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs of BA, Mr. Zoran Šajinović, Assistant Minister of Defense of BA, U.S. Embassy Deputy Chief of Mission Ms. Deborah Mennuti and Mr. Boško Rotim, RACVIAC C-WMD Network Leader.
In the Opening Remarks the importance of improving the regulatory framework and strengthening regional cooperation was stressed and that only through partnership WMD proliferation can be countered. Furthermore, the Trend analysis project will provide RACVAC community with an appropriate analytical tool which will help in countering WMD.
In his Opening address Mr Boško Rotim, on behalf of RACVIAC Director H.E. Ambassador Constantin-Mihail Grigorie, expressed gratitude to the host–the institutions of Bosnia and Herzegovina which are leading this RACVIAC project and which enabled us to conduct the Annual Forum in Sarajevo.
Furthermore, he referred to the fact that this Conference is a continuation of the work RACVIAC started with back in 2014 with the development of national C-WMD strategies. Since then it has entered into Phase of regional cooperation under 4 identified projects that facilitate cooperation in countering weapons of mass destruction, and today’s Forum is one of them.
He also extended appreciation to the US Defence Threat Reduction Agency as an important and reliable partner of RACVIAC in mutual endeavours to strengthen regional cooperation and dialogue on counterproliferation actions. He praised the support provided by RACVIAC partners from the US European Command and used this opportunity to thank them for it.
The Forum will consist of a series of panels in which a subject matter expert from BA, regional subject matter experts and representatives of the international community will present the key outcomes of the trend analysis regarding the subject and then be invited to comment before participating in a wider audience-led discussion. The facilitator will conclude the session with a summary of the consensus on the subject trend.
