From 26 to 30 January 2026, RACVIAC – Centre for Security Cooperation, in cooperation with the United States Defense Threat Reduction Agency (US DTRA) and the Ministry of Defence of Bosnia and Herzegovina, conducted the WMD Border Security and Interdiction Training Course in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The course brought together 38 participants from Republic of Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Republic of Croatia, Montenegro, Republic of North Macedonia, Romania, Republic of Serbia, Republic of Türkiye, Republic of Moldova, Kosovo*, and US DTRA, including border guards, customs and immigration officers, law enforcement personnel, intelligence representatives, prosecutors, and other agencies involved in countering the illegal proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (WMD), dual-use materials, and related precursors.
Organized within the framework of the RACVIAC/DTRA Regional WMD Counterproliferation Training Initiative, the course aimed to strengthen national and regional capacities in detecting, deterring, and interdicting illicit trafficking of WMD and related materials. It responded directly to priorities identified during the inaugural Capability Enhancement Workshop held in Romania in June 2025.
At the opening of the WMD Border Security and Interdiction Course on 26 January 2026, Boško Rotim, Programme Leader for the C-WMD Network welcomed participants on behalf of RACVIAC – Centre for Security Cooperation.
He expressed gratitude to the Ministry of Defence of Bosnia and Herzegovina for hosting the event, and acknowledged the US Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) as a key partner in supporting regional cooperation and dialogue on counter-proliferation efforts.
He noted the longstanding contributions of the RACVIAC C-WMD Network, established in 2014, emphasizing that its activities are strengthened by support from partners such as the US European Commandand and also underscored the increasing significance of WMD border security and interdiction in today’s rapidly changing world, pointing to the persistent threats posed by weapons of mass destruction, dual-use technologies, and illicit trafficking networks and also highlighted that these challenges transcend borders, affecting security, economic stability, and environmental well-being, and require immediate attention and coordinated action.
Throughout the five-day programme, participants examined key concepts of border security and threat management, gained an overview of WMD and dual-use technologies, and explored principles of proliferation and trafficking control. Special emphasis was placed on interagency cooperation, risk management, and information-led operations as essential components of an effective border interdiction strategy.
The agenda combined expert-led lectures with practical exercises and case studies, including cross-border interdiction scenarios, threat matrix development, behavioral analysis techniques, and border vulnerability assessments. Participants also engaged in regional and global case studies, such as the A.Q. Khan network and the Georgia U-235 incident, which highlighted the real-world consequences of unchecked proliferation.
At the conclusion of the Course, Boško Rotim, Programme Leader for the C-WMD Network at RACVIAC thanked participants for their engagement and highlighted that effective border security and counter-proliferation require cooperation, trust, and shared understanding across institutions and borders. Appreciation was extended to US DTRA for their support and expertise, and to the Bosnian host authorities for facilitating the event.
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* This designation is without prejudice to positions on status, and is in line with UNSCR 1244 and the ICJ Opinion on the Kosovo Declaration of Independence. (In accordance with Arrangements regarding regional representation and cooperation).
