Source : Procurement Leaders
The US Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano (pictured) has reiterated the need for global cooperation on supply chain security.
Discussing the newly published Obama administrations National Strategy for Global Supply Chain Security at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, she said that The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is committed to protecting transportation 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 and travel," said Secretary Napolitano.
As a part of this effort, 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.
She added that the international community made "significant progress" on this front through Project Global Shield, now Program Global Shield launched by DHS with the World Customs Organisation, the UN Office on Drugs and Crime, and Interpol. Program Global Shield is an initiative to protect the supply chain by preventing the theft or illegal diversion of precursor chemicals that can be used to make Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs).
Since November 2010, 89 participating nations and international organisations have been sharing information about the export of 14 precursor chemicals used in Improvise Explosive Devices (IEDs).
As of January 2012, Program Global Shield has accounted for seizures of chemical precursors totalling over 62 metric tons and 31 arrests related to the illicit diversion of these chemicals.
"Following the release of the National Strategy for Global Supply Chain Security, DHS and the 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 consolidated report on the status of implementation efforts will be developed," DHS said in a statement.