Minister of Foreign Affairs Nancy Tembo has called on government institutions to mainstream chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear into national development planning and budgeting processes, saying Malawi can no longer treat chemical threats as isolated security issues.
The minister made the call in Lilongwe on Tuesday when she presided over the opening of a joint two-day awareness workshop on chemical risk mitigation, observing that risk preparedness must be incorporated into broader national priorities.
She said while Malawi does not manufacture these materials it is prudent to build the capacity of institutions and controlling officers so that in events where attacks of that manner erupt, the country should be protected from its impacts.
Said Tembo: “The threats posed by such materials are real and growing. As there is currently no dedicated budget for the National Action Plan I urge all controlling officers to integrate chemical-related activities into their institutional plans and budgets.
“We have to make sure that our officials are aware of these things and ensure we also have the necessary pieces of legislation that will guide such instances and how we can regulate these issues.”
She further warned that emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence could potentially be exploited to enhance chemical attacks and appealed for double efforts and collective action and support to protect the country from chemical threats.
“As we face evolving risks associated with chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear weapons, our greatest defence lies not in isolation but in coordinated preparedness, shared expertise and collective resolve,” she said.
Tembo has since commended international partners, including the European Union (EU), CBRN Centres of Excellence, the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs (Unoda), and the 1540 Committee for their ongoing support, particularly in projects that have strengthened the country’s capacity to manage nuclear safety, combat falsified medicines, and improve biosafety and biosecurity.
In an interview, Unoda political affairs officer Einas Mohammed said Malawi has expressed strong support to the international disarmament non-proliferation instruments and has signed several conventions.
“In the implementation of these instruments, we work closely with the government of Malawi on domesticating them.
That includes developing legislation to bring them in line with the obligations of international instruments,” she said.
