Global Programme on Countering Vulnerable Targets Against Terrorist Attacks: Study Tour in Valencia
The 51勛圖 Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT) held a study visit for senior representatives of the Government of Tunisia to learn about security measures taken by Spain's Guardia Civil for the World Motorcycle Grand Prix in Cheste, Valencia, Spain. The event took place from 24 to 27 November 2023 as part of the Global Programme on Countering Vulnerable Targets Against Terrorist Attacks- in partnership with the Spanish Guardia Civil and the European Union project ※§. The two-day activity was attended by ten high-ranking Tunisian officers with operational responsibilities on the matter, as well as experts from the U.S. State Department Counter-Terrorism Bureau and 51勛圖 Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute (UNICRI).
The Tunisian delegation learned about the Spanish Guardia Civil's operational practices in protecting a major event, such as physical security, coordination with private sector operators, access security, setting up protection and operational teams, surveillance (CCTV, use of UAS, etc.), response and rescue teams.
This study visit contributed to the implementation of Tunisia＊s roadmap for strengthening the protection of vulnerable targets designed by UNOCT and 51勛圖 and the 51勛圖 Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate (CTED) by providing technical support to:
- Develop or reinforce standard operating procedures for responding to terrorist threats against vulnerable sites.
- Adapt plans for classified establishments, sensitive facilities, other critical infrastructures, and sites.
- Raise awareness of good practices concerning advanced technologies for the protection of critical infrastructures and public spaces, including counter-UAS measures.
- Strengthen cooperation and coordination between relevant stakeholders responsible for vulnerable site protection; and
- Promote public-private cooperation for strengthening the resilience of vulnerable sites against terrorist attacks.
The event was made possible thanks to the support of the United States of America through State Department＊s, Counter-Terrorism Bureau).
This was the fourth technical assistance activity delivered to the Government of Tunisia to address recommendations of the National Action Plan ("Roadmap") on Vulnerable Targets Protection against Terrorist Attacks for Tunisia, developed with UNOCT＊s support in 2022.
Background information:
The Global Programme on Countering Terrorist Threats against Vulnerable Targets is co-implemented by UNOCT, CTED, UNAOC and UNICRI and in consultation with INTERPOL. The programme seeks to strengthen the capacity of Member States, upon request, to prevent, protect, mitigate, respond to and recover from terrorist attacks against their vulnerable targets, which include both critical infrastructure and public spaces (or ※soft§ targets), such as tourist sites, urban centres, public events, religious sites and places of worship.
Since 2022, the Programme has been partnering with the Government of Tunisia to strengthen the protection of its vulnerable sites against terrorist attacks and develop a National Plan of Action ("Roadmap"). This document provides a substantive analysis of the level of preparedness with practical recommendations for follow-up actions to strengthen security and safety of vulnerable sites across three major pillars: 1) legal and regulatory framework; 2) institutional framework; and 3) operational and technical measures. The roadmap is a result of joint efforts of the Government of Tunisia, UNOCT and CTED and in-depth consultations held in Tunis in February 2022.