Speech by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Teo Chee Hean at the Joint 6th Singapore International Symposium on Protection against Toxic Substances and 2nd International CBRE Operations Conference Opening Ceremony

Good morning,
Distinguished guests,
Ladies and gentlemen.

I am pleased to be here to address the 6th Singapore International Symposium on Protection Against Toxic Substances and the 2nd International Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Explosives (CBRE) Operations Conference.

The Terrorism and CBRE ThreatThe security environment which we live in is complex, fluid and dynamic. Since the last time we met in 2006, international efforts to defend against CBRE threats have gained momentum. Unfortunately for us, these threats have also evolved. Porous borders, and the proliferation and advancement of such technology, mean that it has become easier to make and deploy such materials and weapons which allow a few individuals to inflict disproportionate actual harm and create anxiety against large numbers of people.

Terrorism continues to be a threat in our region. This threat is compounded by the ease of access to instructional "do-it-yourself" information describing how to fabricate improvised devices, even out of commonly available toxic chemical and explosive pre-cursor material. For radiological threats, just two months ago, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) disclosed a disturbingly high figure of more than 200 cases of illicit trafficking, losses and thefts of nuclear and radioactive material in 2008. These lapses in material control make the possibility of a "dirty bomb" being set off in a densely-populated area all the more real.

The tools that terrorists have access to and could deploy have also become more sophisticated. In the past, the Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) used by terrorists inflicted minimal damage. Today, not only can terrorists detonate IEDs remotely, their IEDs can also cause very serious damage and even pierce the hulls of armoured vehicles.

There is a growing concern among military planners that the IED threat may evolve to include chemical, biological and radioactive agents. This calls for a different approach to explosive ordnance disposal (EOD), to one that places more emphasis on the removal and neutralisation of the threat rather than its destruction on-site. Being able to do so is all the more critical in a scenario where the device is found in densely-populated urban settings. Overcoming such developments in CBRE threats demands that scientists find ways to detect IEDs from a safe distance, as well as systems to safely contain IEDs carrying chemical, biological and radioactive agents.

While there have been no instances of the use of WMD-type material in terrorist attacks, we should try to learn lessons from events that might offer useful insights. The 2003 SARS epidemic and the ongoing H1N1 Influenza pandemic offer useful pointers on how a new or mutated virulent pathogen might cause a worldwide pandemic several orders of magnitude worse than past outbreaks. While such pandemics may be naturally occurring and not the result of a deliberate attack, they provide a useful minimum benchmark for the type of actions and preparations that international organisations, government agencies and individual citizens must make so that we can collectively overcome biological threats, whether deliberate or naturally occurring. We need to continue to invest in developing capabilities, fostering expertise and upgrading the skills of our people.

The Importance of International Collaborations in CBRE DefenceNo country is immune from the CBRE threat or can deal with these issues on its own. Countering the CBRE threat therefore requires international collaboration. This is a key impetus for all of us to be here today. We cooperate with other countries as well as international organisations because we recognise that there is much synergy to be reaped from cooperation, by sharing knowledge, building up expertise and enhancing interoperability.

All agencies, including armed forces, have an important role to play through information sharing and the conduct of joint exercises. Two months ago, Singapore hosted Exercise Deep Sabre II, under the ambit of the multinational Proliferation Security Initiative. This is the second time that we have hosted such an exercise. It provided an avenue for policy and operational agencies to participate in a table top maritime interdiction exercise and a port search demonstration on a merchant vessel carrying illegal WMD materials. Some 2000 personnel and 19 countries took part in this exercise. Participation in such exercises and exchanges is important as they enhance both national and international inter-agency coordination and interoperability across participating countries.

The same principle applies to our technology community. The DSO National Laboratories actively participates in research collaboration with the US, UK, Sweden, France, Germany and Australia. For instance, DSO and France's Centre d'etudes du Bouchet (Saun-ter day eh-tude-day do Boo-shay) have worked together to study the use of stand-off detection systems in a tropical environment. Such stand-off systems can provide users with an early-warning capability against CBRE attacks coming from some distance away. Earlier this year, DSO also partnered the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to co-organise the first joint Nuclear Forensics National Training Workshop. The workshop provides a platform for the professional exchange of views on radiological threats.

Singapore's Approach Towards CBRE DefenceAs CBRE threats evolve, we must harness the tools of national policy - including diplomatic, military and technological means - to keep pace with these challenges. The recent developments in CBRE threats have impressed upon us that the two communities - the operational and technological communities - must continue to collaborate to address emerging issues and develop effective solutions to meet evolving operational needs.

This close "ops-tech" integration has borne some exciting developments. Working closely with the SAF, DSO has developed an indoor dispersion modeling software that can provide near real-time monitoring of the spread of dangerous chemicals in urban installations and buildings. This programme will greatly aid the SAF in formulating its mitigation plans and emergency responses, and provide valuable information for more thorough decision making before taking quick action.

Another innovation is Singapore's first ruggedised suite of CBRE robots, jointly developed by the SAF, DSO, the Defence Science and Technology Agency (DSTA), and Singapore Technologies Kinetics. The CBRE robots are designed to perform decontamination procedures some distance from their operators. By leveraging on these robots, our soldiers will therefore be able to minimise their own exposure to harmful agents and enhance their safety by handling detection, sampling and mitigation of hazardous substances from a remote location.

The SAF and DSO also work closely with local homeland security agencies against non-conventional threats. The CBRE Defence Group, for instance, supports the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) in conducting security operations for major events such as the recent Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum, while DSO continues to support national efforts in containing the H1N1 Influenza pandemic by testing and analysing blood samples, reducing the load on our hospitals.

ConclusionThe organisation of SISPAT-ICOC demonstrates Singapore's commitment to work with the international community in the fight against CBRE threats. By bringing together scientists, researchers, civil and military personnel from all over the globe, SISPAT-ICOC hopes to open up more possibilities and innovations, and to grow new ties and links with our partners, that we can call upon should the need ever arise.

I am confident that as with previous symposiums, the discussions at the 6th SISPAT and 2nd ICOC will be of the highest calibre. I wish all of you a fruitful experience at SISPAT-ICOC, and a very pleasant stay in Singapore. Thank you.