The use of new technology by terrorists
INTERPOL held the 3rd World Congress on Chemical Safety and Emerging Threats from 25-27 October 2022, bringing together some 220 chemical safety practitioners from more than 70 countries.
As reported, there were more than 1,000 attacks using improvised explosive devices (IEDs) last year, injuring more than 7,150 people in more than 40 countries. To make these improvised explosive devices, criminals used chemicals that were converted into weapons.
The aim of the meeting was to develop ways to minimise the ease with which criminals can obtain chemicals at both the production, distribution, storage and retail stages, by strengthening multi-sectoral cooperation and collaboration among law enforcement agencies, among others. The congress examined ways to counter emerging threats, including the use of new technologies by terrorists to obtain toxic chemicals.
The devastating impact of chemical weapons and explosives used in terrorist attacks affects civilians and is known for its destructive long-term damage. It is therefore important to have a global law enforcement commitment to prevent and monitor security threats. This is not an easy task given that chemicals have a broad and legitimate function in the production of consumer goods, i.e. medicines, cleaning products, fertilisers.