US Secretary Napolitano says DHS is committed to protecting transport systems from attack and disruption
February 2, 2012
US Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano (pictured) has issued a new call for global co-operation on supply chain security.
Discussing the new National Strategy for Global Supply Chain Security at last week’s World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, she said the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) was committed to protecting transport systems from attacks and disruptions, and increasing the resilience of global supply chains.
“We must continue to strengthen global supply chains to ensure that they operate effectively in time of crisis, recover quickly from disruptions and facilitate international trade,” she said.
“We look forward to working closely with our international partners in the public and private sector to build a more resilient global supply chain.”
Napolitano said the international community had made “significant progress” via Project Global Shield – launched by the DHS with the World Customs Organisation, UN Office on Drugs and Crime and Interpol – an initiative to protect supply chains by preventing the theft or illegal diversion of precursor chemicals that could be used to make explosives.
Since November 2010, 89 nations and international organisations have been sharing information about the export of 14 chemicals used in improvised explosive devices (IEDs).
To date, Global Shield has accounted for seizures of more than 60 tonnes of chemical precursors and 31 arrests.
On the latest initiative, the DHS said in a statement: “Following the release of the National Strategy for Global Supply Chain Security, the DHS and Department of State will lead a six-month engagement period with the international community and industry stakeholders to solicit feedback and specific recommendations on how to implement the Strategy in a cost-effective and collaborative manner.
“Within 12 months of the release of the Strategy, a report on the status of implementation efforts will be developed.”
Courtesy of IFW
