Eighth Session

(26 - 30 September 1994)

EXPERT GROUP ON

TECHNICAL COOPERATION AND ASSISTANCE

FIFTH REPORT

1. Introduction

1.1 The Expert Group on Technical Cooperation and Assistance was requested by the Seventh Session of the Preparatory Commission to continue its consideration of outstanding issues relating to Articles X and XI. The Group, therefore, convened its meeting from 27 to 29 July 1994.

1.2 Mr. Sarvajit Chakravarti (India) continued as Chairman of the Group.

1.3 The Chairman distributed a draft paper on Article XI issues in advance of the meeting to serve as a basis for its deliberations. The discussions of the Group were also facilitated by a non-paper provided by the African Group.

2. Article X issues

2.1 The Group reviewed the two lists developed during the previous meeting, of categories of information to be provided by States Parties under Article X, paragraph 4, on national programmes related to protective purposes. Reiterating that the draft list of mandatory information could not be reduced, the Group was unable to agree either on the adequacy of that list or on any further expansion of it. The Group discussed details of the types of additional information that could possibly be provided in the context of the items on that list. The Chairman intends to return to this issue at a future meeting.

2.2 The Group expressed its appreciation to the Kingdom of the Netherlands for conducting training of 80 National Authorities' personnel from developing countries. It further encouraged Member States to offer similar training, if possible in Convention languages other than English, in order to enable the largest possible number of National Authorities to benefit.

3. Article XI issues

3.1 The Group continued discussions of issues arising from Article XI and related provisions, beginning with the draft paper presented by the Chairman and based on ideas expressed in non-papers provided during earlier deliberations.

3.2 The Group discussed various aspects of national preparations for implementation of Article XI and related provisions of the Convention. The Chairman intends to return to these issues at a future meeting.

3.3 Some practical steps that could be taken to implement Article XI and related provisions were also discussed. These included, inter alia, the issue of a possible establishment of a database to facilitate the exchange of information relating to economic and technological development in the field of chemicals, and other measures that could be taken by the OPCW to foster international cooperation for peaceful purposes in the field of chemical activities.

4. Recommendations

4.1 The Group recommended that in order to facilitate any further discussion of the relevant issues identified in paragraph 3.3 above, the Commission request the Secretariat to prepare a study by collecting information, especially from interested Member States, on the types of categories of information that could be included in the database mentioned in paragraph 3.3 above, taking into account the availability and cost of existing databases for relevant purposes.

4.2 In relation to its future work, the Group recommended that Working Group B request it to continue its deliberations on outstanding issues relating to Articles X and XI.

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