SECURUS Conducts a Seminar on Biosecurity with the Bulgarian Government

On July 27 and 28, 2023, SECURUS Strategic Trade Solutions conducted the Seminar on Biosecurity and Biological Weapons Proliferation Prevention with representatives of the Government of Bulgaria.

SECURUS subject-matter experts Richard Glen Young and Natalia Zamora provided training on topics concerning biological materials and related equipment, software, and technologies that can contribute to the production of biological weapons and ways governments can reduce the risk of proliferation of these items.

The seminar was the capstone engagement in an 18-month program with the Government of Bulgaria that also included five webinars and extensive training and dialogue.

The participants discussed:

• Types of biological materials of concern and related biological dual-use equipment (items that can be used for civilian or biological weapons purposes);

• Biological proliferation threats, methods, and patterns;

• International standards and best practices in biosecurity and biological weapons nonproliferation;

• Key principles of biosecurity;

• Ways to regulate transfers of biological materials and related dual-use equipment, technologies, and software;

• Assessing and mitigating risks at biological facilities; and

• Controlling and reducing security risks in the transport of biological items.

The participants were enthusiastic about discussing the topics and expressed interest in further engagement on the subject of biosecurity.

SECURUS appreciated the opportunity to meet with the Bulgarian colleagues and the participants’ important contributions to the discussions.

Author: Richard Glen Young, Richard.Young@SECURUSTrade.com, March 2024