Botswana faces a daunting task in tackling the crisis of chemical terrorism and preventing chemical crimes. Minister for State President, Moeti Mohwasa, has said.
Highlighting these concerns on Monday during the opening ceremony of the Interpol conference held in Gaborone, Minister Mohwasa emphasised that the threat of chemical weapons is not far-fetched.
Mohwasa noted that threats from explosive weapons are growing due to limited security measures across borders. He stressed the importance of nations coming together to counter this emerging danger.
According to Mohwasa, there was, therefore, a need for the Interpol conference, which he said has evolved into a multi-sectoral network platform, enabling a wider range of stakeholders to participate in this fight against chemical threats.
“Defeating the misuse of chemicals requires cross-sector collaboration. Combating chemical threats is not solely the responsibility of law enforcement; we must work hand in hand with industry, academia, and civil society to ensure that hazardous materials are managed securely,” said Mohwasa.
The three-day conference, which concluded on Wednesday, also addressed the dangers posed by everyday chemicals and explore safeguards for their storage and use.
