Documents   Outcome Statement - Singapore  News and Media Releases   Interpol Asian Bioterrorism Workshop calls for further action (29/03/2006)        Interpol Asian Bioterrorism Workshop opens in Singapore (27/03/2006)        Singapore to host Interpol Asian Regional Workshop on Preventing Bioterrorism (15/03/2006) Speeches   Speech by Interpol Secretary General Ronald K. Noble (27/03/2006)   Keynote address by Associate Professor Ho Peng Kee, Singaporean Senior Minister of State for Law and Home Affairs (27/03/2006)   Welcome address by Khoo Boon Hui, Commissioner of Police, Singapore Police Force (27/03/2006) Photos   Photo gallery See also   All Interpol bioterrorism workshops and events

Senior Minister of State for Law and Home Affairs, Professor Ho Peng Kee (centre) and Singapore Police Force Commissioner Khoo Boon Hui (left) welcomed the INTERPOL Secretary General Ronald K. Noble and delegates from 27 countries to Singapore for the INTERPOL Asian Regional Workshop on Preventing Bioterrorism

Issues including laboratory security, bioterrorism identification and assessment will be discussed, and those attending the three-day event will also take part in a simulation of a major bioterrorism event to highlight the need for all affected response agencies to think and act on a national, regional and international level.

As part of its continuing support to its 184 member countries in developing national bioterrorism prevention programmes, INTERPOL is also preparing a Biological Incident Response Guide - a comprehensive, step-by-step manual for law enforcement in preparing for, and dealing with, a bio incident.

The need for international co-operation was underlined by Singapore’s Senior Minister of State for Law and Home Affairs, Professor Ho Peng Kee.

‘We cannot afford not to work together to contain the threat of bioterrorism. Countries need to reach out to one another and increase their level of co-operation and exchange of information. To achieve the required speed of response when a bioterrorist attack hits, countries must start work now,’ Professor Ho said.

INTERPOL Secretary General Ronald K. Noble said: ‘Some people still question whether the threat of bioterrorism is real; they question whether it is truly necessary to prepare for it. I have no doubt that the threat is real.’

‘All too often history has shown us that the impossible can and does happen,’ Mr Noble said. ‘If we have the chance to take measures to protect the citizens of our nations, to help reduce the chances of our countries becoming targets, then we have a duty to do so. The response we have already received to our ongoing bioterrorism programme makes it clear that police around the world are now also beginning to recognise and respond to this threat.’

Singapore Police Force Commissioner Khoo Boon Hui said police agencies should recognise that fighting crime can also help combat terrorism.

‘Oftentimes, in the process of committing a terrorist act, or preparing for one, the perpetrator would likely have committed a series of other offences. These include the smuggling of prohibited items into and out of countries and entering countries illegally,’ Commissioner Khoo said.

‘We also cannot ignore evidence which shows that criminal activities like money laundering sustain and drive terrorism and terrorist groups. We must confront crime to deal with terrorism.’

Seventy-eight delegates from 26 countries in the Asian region are taking part in the event, which brings together law enforcement, scientific and legal experts from around the world. The first bioterrorism workshop was held in South Africa in November 2005 and the third will be held in Chile.