DECISION

ATTENDANCE BY NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANISATIONS AND INDUSTRY REPRESENTATIVES AT THE FIFTH SESSION OF THE

CONFERENCE OF THE STATES PARTIES

The Conference

Bearing in mind Rule 33 of the Rules of Procedure of the Conference of the States Parties,

Hereby:

Approves the participation of the non-governmental organisations (NGOs) listed in annex 1, and the industry representatives listed in annex 2 hereto, at the Fifth Session of the Conference of the States Parties; and

Decides to accord to the NGOs listed in annex 1 and to the industry representatives listed in annex 2 hereto, the following status:

1. NGOs and industry representatives will be responsible for all expenses relating to their attendance at the Fifth Session of the Conference;

 

2. representatives of NGOs and industry will be invited (subject to the decision of the Conference) to attend public meetings of the plenary sessions of the Conference;

 

3. NGOs and industry representatives will be issued with name tags, which must be worn within the Netherlands Congress Centre (NCC);

 

4. the names of NGOs and industry representatives will not appear on desks/tables in the conference rooms;

 

5. NGOs and industry representatives will not have the right to address meetings of the Conference;

 

6. NGOs and industry representatives may place literature for distribution only at designated places outside the conference rooms in the NCC; and

7. access to documents: NGOs and industry representatives may have access to all documents mentioned in the annotated agenda and distributed during the Conference, except for the following: documents marked "Member States Only"; conference room papers, or other draft documentation; unofficial documents; and all Executive Council documents, unless mentioned in the annotated agenda.

Annexes (English only):

Annex 1: List of non-governmental organisations

Annex 2: List of industry representatives

Annex 1

LIST OF NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANISATIONS

1. Harvard Sussex Program (HSP) *
1. International Federation of University Women (IFUW) *
1. Peace Research Institute Frankfurt (PRIF) *
1. Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) *
1. Monterey Institute of International Studies, Center for Non-proliferation Studies (CNS), Chemical and Biological Weapons Non-proliferation Project *
1. World Veterans’ Federation (WVF) *
1. Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom (WILPF)
1. Lawyers’ Alliance For World Security / Committee for National Security (LAWS/CNS)
1. Stichting Green Cross Nederland
1. Fletcher International Security Studies Program (ISSP)
1. Federation of Asian Chemical Societies (FACS)
1. Green Cross International (GCI) Legacy Programme *

13. Diplomatic Brief

The HSP is an international collaborative programme of research and communication that seeks to enhance international awareness and understanding of public policy issues associated with chemical and biological weapons. Its aim is to promote the global elimination of chemical and biological weapons and to strengthen the constraints against hostile uses of biomedical technologies. The programme focuses on the implementation of the two global CBW disarmament and anti-proliferation treaties – the Chemical Weapons Convention and the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention.

The HSP is directed jointly from Harvard University in the United States, and the University of Sussex in the United Kingdom. The HSP conducts, sponsors, and otherwise encourages scholarly research within a wide range of CBW topics, and publishes a quarterly journal, the "CBW Conventions Bulletin". A section of this bulletin reports on the progress made in the work of the OPCW. The HSP also convenes the Pugwash Study Group on the Implementation of the Chemical and Biological Weapons Conventions, and participates in international specialist seminars and workshops. The programme also supports a researcher at the OPCW Secretariat in The Hague.

The IFUW is an international non-profit women’s organisation founded in 1919 whose aims include the promotion of peace. Comprising national federations and associations, local branches and individual members, the IFUW offers educated women opportunities to reach their full potential to contribute to society. The mission of the IFUW is to empower women and girls through education and development for leadership, locally, nationally and globally. The IFUW has consultative status with the UN ECOSOC.

The PRIF was established in 1970 by the government of the German State of Hesse as a foundation under public law. It operates as a research institute from its base in Frankfurt. The PRIF’s research interest focuses on the possibility of dealing with international conflicts without the application of military force. Through its research publications, the PRIF keeps politicians and society at large informed about the kind of conditions that have to be created and the decisions that have to be taken in order to promote peace as a process of decreasing violence and increasing justice. Current areas of study include the achievement of global arms control and disarmament, in particular strategies for the non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction; weapons in space and missile defence. In early 1997 the PRIF decided to expand its non-proliferation project to include chemical and biological weapons. So far, a PRIF report on the CWC and its implementation has been published. Another publication was prepared to be ready by the entry into force of the Convention. Further, the PRIF yearbook includes a chapter on the CBW in order to keep the German audience up to date with developments in the two fields of chemical and biological weapons.

4.

SIPRI conducts scientific research on questions of conflict and cooperation that are of importance to international peace and security. Its aim is to contribute to an understanding of the conditions required for the peaceful solution of international conflicts and for stable peace. SIPRI has built its reputation on its competence, professional skill, and the collection of hard data and precise facts, providing accessible, impartial information on weapons developments, arms transfers and production, and military expenditure, as well as on arms limitations, reductions and disarmament.

SIPRI has been involved in CBW disarmament research for over 30 years, and has conducted major research that supported the implementation of the CWC, in many cases with the active participation of PrepCom representatives. The Chemical and Biological Warfare (CBW) Project is one of SIPRI’s longest-running research projects, focusing on developments in chemical and biological weapons, and their actual or alleged use and acquisition, as well as on efforts to obtain effective disarmament measures aiming at their total elimination. After the conclusion of the CWC in 1992, SIPRI identified the following research areas: (a) the implementation and verification of the Convention; (b) the destruction of chemical weapons; (c) old chemical weapons and toxic armament wastes; (d) countering proliferation; and (e) strengthening the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention.

5.

The Center for Non-proliferation Studies (CNS) at the Monterey Institute is the largest
non-governmental programme in the USA devoted exclusively to research and training on non-proliferation issues. The mission of the CNS is to combat the international proliferation of nuclear, missile, biological, and chemical weapons technologies. Established in 1989, the Center provides research tools, analysis, training, and education on non-proliferation issues to scholars and policy-makers.

The CBW Non-proliferation Project at the CNS monitors the proliferation of chemical and biological weapons and develops strategies for halting and reversing their spread. Current research activities cover the following areas: (1) overcoming the political, financial and environmental obstacles to chemical disarmament in Russia; (2) assessing procedures for on-site monitoring of compliance with the BWC; and (3) exploring motivations for the acquisition and use of CBW by states and terrorist organisations. The project also teaches technical aspects of CBW proliferation, including an annual workshop for Monterey Institute graduate students.

6.

One of the statutory objectives of the WVF is to maintain international peace and security through the application of the Charter of the United Nations, and through respect for human rights and fundamental liberties contained in the Declaration on Human Rights. One of the main areas of interest is disarmament, particularly weapons of mass destruction. Through its members and associations in various countries, the WVF informs authorities and public opinion about the Convention. The WVF has consultative status with the UN Social and Economic Council. Its current goal is to promote action by those countries which have not yet ratified the Chemical Weapons Convention.

WILPF works at the international, national and local levels, and seeks to educate, inform and mobilise women for action to achieve its goals. It organises campaigns to promote disarmament measures, and to halt adventurism and interventions. It sends missions to areas of conflict and reports to its members and to the United Nations on their efforts to bring about peaceful settlements. WILPF publishes quarterly journals – Pax et Libertas, International Newsletter – as well as background papers, brochures, leaflets and conference reports.

LAWS is a private, non-partisan NGO that advocates prudent and practical policies designed to reduce the dangers posed by nuclear and other weapons of mass destruction in a post-Cold War era. LAWS regularly conducts consultations with senior government officials, parliamentarians, and scholars in North America, Europe, Northeast Asia, India and Russia to assist in the development and implementation of policies intended to bolster the nuclear non-proliferation treaty regime, to promote nuclear arms control and disarmament, and to encourage the development of the rule of law in Russia. LAWS programs are recognised in many countries as valuable and impartial efforts that contribute to the cause of non-proliferation, arms control and disarmament.

Green Cross International was founded in 1993 at the initiative of some spiritual and political leaders in order to address environmental problems at a global level. Green Cross operates from the perspective of voluntary cooperation. In the Netherlands, Green Cross works together with the Dutch Platform for Older People and Europe (NPOE).

10.

The Fletcher ISSP is dedicated to teaching and research in a broad range of international security issues. In particular, the implementation of the CWC is highlighted in the seminar course entitled Contemporary Arms Control Proliferation: counter-proliferation issues. ISSP was established in 1971, and was one of the first programs of its kind in a public or private American university. ISSP’s emphasis is on both academic study and exposure to practical policy-related activities.

11.

Formed in 1979 by a proposal from the UNESCO Division of Scientific Education and Research, FACS provides a channel of communication and collaboration among chemical societies in the Asian-Pacific region. One of its major activities is the organisation of the Asian Chemical Congress (ACC) every two years. FACS believes that chemical societies in Asia have concerns about the implementation of the CWC, especially regarding the impacts and benefits that the chemical industry may derive from it. FACS also believes that it can make a valid contribution to the implementation of the CWC and to its promotion within chemistry and chemical industries in Asia.

12.

Green Cross International (GCI) is a global, non-aligned networking organisation working in the area of environment and sustainable development. It creates partnerships to promote global value change. Multisectoral dialogue is the basic GCI principle for implementing sustainable projects. It therefore acts as an open forum, bringing together decision makers and grassroots movements from all sectors of society (NGOs, business and other groups) in a unique platform. GCI was initiated at the Earth Summit in Rio in 1992, and was officially launched in Kyoto, Japan, on 20 April 1993, under the leadership of GCI President, Mikhail S. Gorbachev.

In addition to other international programmes, since 1994 GCI has been running the "Legacy Programme," which addresses issues resulting from the arms race during the Cold War. One component of the Legacy Programme is "Chemtrust", a joint initiative of the US, Russian and Swiss Green Cross. Chemtrust aims to further CW disarmament by bringing together all sectors involved in the process, and by serving as a non-partisan mediator helping to resolve issues of conflict. Regular discussion partners include ministries in the US, the Russian Federation and Switzerland. GCI has organised several hearings and roundtable discussions on national CW disarmament programmes in Saratov, Izhevsk, Washington and Indianapolis.

13.

Contact person: Richard Guthrie

Financial resources: New project - funding is still being sought from a number of

trusts and foundations.

Membership: 1 full-time staff member

Diplomatic Brief is a new project with the aim of assisting the international process of arms control by helping the representatives of smaller countries participate more fully in disarmament regimes by providing them with impartial background briefing documents and seminars.

The main publication currently in production is "Science and Technology for Diplomats and Negotiators" a comprehensive guide to scientific and technical issues that relate to arms control. In addition, the guide includes outlines of treaties, international groupings, and details of their memberships.

By providing factual information in an impartial manner, Diplomatic Brief aims to promote universality of membership of international treaties and agreements and greater participation in treaty-related activities such as confidence-building regimes and review conferences.

Annex 2

LIST OF INDUSTRY REPRESENTATIVES

CEFIC, an organisation wholly funded by private industry, considers itself both the forum and the voice of the European chemical industry. It represents, directly or indirectly, about 40,000 large, medium and small chemical companies in Europe, which employ about 2 million people and account for more than 30% of the world’s chemical production. CEFIC was involved in the establishment of the CWC and maintains an active dialogue with the OPCW to ensure the smooth implementation of the Convention in Europe.

2.

Name of organisation: Fédération des Industries Chimiques (FEDICHEM)

City: Brussels

Country: Belgium

Contact person: Ms L. Baudesson

Activities: See below

Financial resources: Wholly funded by private industry

Membership: Made up of Belgian chemical industries

FEDICHEM represents Belgium’s second-ranking industrial sector, covering about 800 companies, as both an official representative and a provider of services. This sector includes the following activities: organic and inorganic basic chemistry and fertilisers; parachemistry; rubber and plastics processing and manufacturing; biotechnology; collection, treatment and recycling of waste; chemical engineering; research testing and analysis laboratories.

3.

Name of organisation: Cámara de la Industría Química y Petroquímica (CIQyP)

City: Buenos Aires

Country: Argentina

Contact person: Mr J.M. Fumagani

Activities: See below

Financial resources: Wholly funded by private industry

Membership: Accounts for over 90% of the gross domestic product in the chemical

The CIQyP is a non-profit organisation founded in 1949 with the purpose of being a union representative for companies in the chemical and petrochemical sector. Its mission is to facilitate the growth and development of its members and of the chemical and petrochemical industry in Argentina. CIQyP’s main activities are: relations with government, business entities and international entities; international, regional and union negotiations.

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