On August 9, 2022, the President of Tajikistan, his excellency Emomali Rahmon led the inauguration ceremony for the Northern Branch office of the Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear Safety and Security Agency (CBRN SSA) of the National Academy of Sciences.

The Northern Branch Office was designed and built by civil engineers of the Main Construction Department of the National Academy of Sciences of Tajikistan. The new building includes offices for 20 employees, a reception area for visitors, three meeting rooms, and modern laboratories. Its construction significantly enhances Tajikistan’s ability to perform comprehensive regulatory functions in the region and to provide timely response to CBRN incidents.  

The U.S. National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) Office of Global Material Security and the Norwegian Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority contributed half of the funding for construction under the auspices of the Global Partnership Against the Spread of Weapons and Materials of Mass Destruction.  Art Atkins, NNSA Director of the Office of Global Material Security noted, “Tajikistan is a leader in the control and security of highly radioactive material in the region.  This cooperative project demonstrates a joint commitment to strengthening security of radioactive material.”

The President of Tajikistan, his excellency Emomali Rahmon toured the new building and stressed that this institution of the National Academy of Sciences of Tajikistan plays an important role as a regulatory state body in nuclear and radiation safety and security, and coordinator of chemical and biological safety and security.

CBRN SSA Director Ilhom Mirsaidzoda said, “Tajikistan highly appreciates the contributions made by its international partners, the U.S. NNSA Office of Global Material Security and the Norwegian Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority in completing this construction. CBRN SSA’s Northern Branch will play a leading role in state regulation of nuclear and radiation safety and security, and activities related to chemical and biological safety and security in the region.”