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Dubai / June 6, 2022: The Executive Office for Control and Non-Proliferation (EOCN) held a workshop on counter-proliferation investigative methods, prepared in partnership with the United States of America, and represented by the US embassy in the UAE. The seminar was attended by the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of International Security and Nonproliferation, and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security - Office of National Security Investigations (ONS), and is held as part of a series of workshops, rehabilitation programs and training sessions in the area of export control. The workshop aims at promoting participants' awareness of international resources and introduce the best practices in the implementation of non-proliferation investigation methods and methods of international cooperation related to cross-border strategic commodity trade controls.

In the workshop opening speech, delivered by His Excellency Talal Al-Teneiji, Director of the Executive Office for Control and Non-Proliferation, he said:

"International cooperation is crucial in exchanging experiences to achieve export control, Therefore, relevant government institutions always seek to translate this through the opening and perpetuation of communication channels. This, indeed, reflects the UAE's keenness to strengthen cooperation with international community to combat proliferation and financing of weapons of mass destruction, combat extremism and terrorism, and implement best practices and controls that all countries seek to enforce. The establishment and maintenance of such practices have become evident by the Security Council in resolution 1540 of 2004 as well as the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) in the fight against terrorist financing and proliferation"

In his speech, Al-Teneiji has praised the leading role of the Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation as one of the leading government institutions in regulating the nuclear sector for peaceful purposes, achieving nuclear safety, security and prevention. The Authority has participated in the workshop with the aim of presenting the system of investigating exports and imports in respect to controlled materials.

At the two-day workshop, a group of experts and specialists from the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of International Security and Nonproliferation, and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security ONS Office provided the best practices applied in ensuring the transportation of strategic dual-use goods.This would contribute to raising awareness of all regulatory and supervisory bodies in order to detect, intercept and verify unauthorized transportation of components, technology and materials, which can be used in the development of conventional and non-conventional weapons and related cross-border crimes.

It is worth mentioning that the EOCN plays an active role in tightening export controls and reducing the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and associated technology, based on domestic and international policies, legislation and partnerships. Since its establishment in 2009, the EOCN has been the competent body to implement the provisions of Federal Decree Law No. 43 of 2021 on the Commodities Subject to Non-Proliferation with the aim of preventing the illegal and unauthorized circulation of dual-use goods that contribute to the production or development of weapons of mass destruction with their associated technology and means of delivery.

 The EOCN, in cooperation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and other government agencies, exerts tireless efforts to follow up on the implementation of UN Security Council resolutions and requirements and other relevant international and regional organizations. This is besides coordinating and supervising the application of targeted financial sanctions relating to terrorist lists system and the implementation of Security Council resolutions on the prevention and suppression of terrorism and its financing, halting the proliferation and financing of weapons and related resolutions in coordination with competent authorities.The EOCN is the technical point of contact for following up on the UAE’s obligations in the Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production, Storage and Use of Chemical Weapons. This reflects the UAE government's vision to maintain security and stability inside and outside the country and strengthen partnership with the countries of the region and the rest of the world to be free of weapons of mass destruction.