For a Safe Iraq: Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear Safety and Security in Society

2 October, 2024

The Department of Quality Assurance and the Continuing Education Center at the National University of Science and Technology organized the First Public Safety and Laboratory Security Forum under the theme "For a Safe Iraq: Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear Safety and Security in Society" on Wednesday, December 21, 2022, at the university's conference hall.

The forum began with the first lecture, presented by Professor Dr. Jabar Madi Rashid, a faculty member at the College of Science, University of Dhi Qar, titled "Sources of Nuclear Radiation and Standards for Threat, Safety, Security, and Prevention".

The second session focused on "Chemical Risk Mitigation", delivered by Chemical Officer Haider Mahdi Turki, head of the CBRN department at the Dhi Qar Civil Defense Directorate.

The final lecture of the forum, "The Biological Agents as CBRN", was presented by Dr. Salam Jumaa Hamad, Head of the Forensic Science Department at the National University of Science and Technology.

The organizers of the forum, particularly the CBRN committees at the National University of Science and Technology, aim to build progress toward implementing the forum's recommendations and expanding the involvement of a diverse spectrum of stakeholders and practitioners in the field of chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear threats. By integrating public and private sector partners, both governmental and non-governmental, and civilian and military groups, the forum aims to develop informed, collaborative, and integrated solutions to address gaps in CBRN capabilities. This strategy enables the ecosystem to improve the shared understanding of stakeholder roles and responsibilities while providing a platform for fostering essential national and global relations to mitigate security threats related to chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear weapons.

The forum concluded with the implementation of its recommendations and outcomes from the sessions, which include:

1. Expanding the publication of awareness books on biosecurity, chemical, nuclear, and radiological safety and security.
2. Increasing coordination with global universities to train workers on environmental issues, occupational safety, and the possibility of providing international standards.
3. Adopting the ISO system in formulating safety details.
4. Reducing environmental pollution by focusing on technology that converts solid waste into useful energy and benefiting from waste recycling of all types.
5. Raising awareness about environmental protection and pollution prevention in line with the increasing risks of pollution at local and regional levels.
6. Encouraging studies and research on producing safe alternatives to hazardous and toxic chemicals used in agriculture and food preservation, and introducing modern technologies to prevent and address environmental pollution, such as bioremediation and the application of product life cycle concepts and green technologies in all related fields.