Global Chemical Security Engagement Activities

The Office of Cooperative Threat Reduction (CTR), part of the Department's Bureau of International Security and Nonproliferation (ISN), sponsors foreign assistance activities funded by the Nonproliferation, Anti-terrorism, Demining and Related Programs (NADR) account, and focuses on mitigating proliferation risk in frontline states and regions where terrorist threats are on the rise, such as in the Middle East, Africa and Asia. ISN/CTR administers the Chemical Security Program (CSP) in partnership with government, security, academic, and industrial communities to strengthen their ability to prevent chemical attacks. CSP secures chemical weapons-related assets (such as chemicals, equipment, technologies, expertise, and infrastructure) against terrorist networks and proliferant states intent on conducting chemical attacks. To accomplish this mission, CSP sponsors efforts to identify and address chemical security vulnerabilities and to detect and investigate early warning signs of chemical attacks. CSP focuses its resources in countries where non-state actors and returning foreign fighters have demonstrated an ability or interest in using chemical weapons, and seeks to instill sustainable chemical security capabilities in partner countries. CSP stakeholders include: • Government ministries and agencies that have a role in chemical oversight; • Law enforcement entities and security forces; • Chemical faculties and departments within universities and research institutions; • Facilities that manufacture, store, or distribute weaponizable chemicals and their precursors; • Chemical academic and industry associations that may play a role in the promotion of global chemical management best practices; and • International organizations with complementary (Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) prevention and chemicals management missions.