Doha has hosted the fourth annual meeting of chemical industry representatives and national authorities of states parties to the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) from Oct. 17 to 19.

“This annual event strengthens the collaboration between the National Authorities of States Parties to the CWC and chemical industry as an important stakeholder at the national level,” the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) said in a statement.

“The ultimate objective is to enhance the fulfilment of several convention obligations, particularly relating to the verification regime under Article VI of the CWC.

“Representatives of approximately 20 states parties of the CWC from all regions are expected to attend the meeting. A representative of the International Council of Chemical Associations (ICCA) as well as OPCW experts will also participate,” the statement added.

The meeting has been taking place on an annual basis since 2014, with close collaboration between the OPCW and the Qatar National Committee for the Prohibition of Weapons (NCPW). “These events have significantly contributed to the implementation of the CWC in participating countries,” OPCW said.

“Since 2012 and in cooperation with the OPCW Technical Secretariat, through the Doha Regional Centre for Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear CBRN Training, Qatar has organized 26 programs with a view to combating chemical terrorism. These programs, with the contribution of Qatar, have covered main areas of Articles VII, X and XI of the Convention, to enhance the capacities of states parties to address the chemical threat and promote peaceful uses of chemistry. The events have been fully funded by the voluntary fund provided to the OPCW by Qatar.

“Qatar has generously contributed to the OPCW in support of capacity building activities for full and effective implementation of the CWC in the past years,” OPCW said.

As the implementing body for the CWC, the OPCW oversees the global endeavor to permanently eliminate chemical weapons. Since the convention’s entry into force in 1997 with its 192 states parties it is the most successful disarmament treaty eliminating an entire class of weapons of mass destruction.

Over 96 percent of all chemical weapon stockpiles declared by possessor states have been destroyed under OPCW verification. For its extensive efforts in eliminating chemical weapons, OPCW received the 2013 Nobel Prize for Peace.

Source: Fana News