PR11: The OPCW - 24th Executive Council Session

The Hague, 12 April 2001			Number 11

Press Release

The OPCW - 24^th Executive Council Session

The Executive Council of the OPCW met for its Twenty-Fourth Session from 3-6 April 2001 in The Hague. The Session was chaired by Mr Bernhard Brasack of Germany. This was the last regular Session of the Council before the Sixth Session of the Conference of the States Parties to the CWC, which will be held in The Hague from 14-18 May.

In his opening statement, the Director-General, Mr José M. Bustani, reported on developments in relation to the OPCW’s current financial crisis, and on the Secretariat’s efforts to continue the Organisation’s mandatory activities while exercising financial prudence in the implementation of the Chemical Weapons Convention. He affirmed that the crisis does not, and should not, call into question the full implementation of the Convention by OPCW Member States, which now total 143. The Director General called on the Member States to strive for a solution to the problems caused by underfunding due to structural deficiencies within the budget. The Council recognised the urgent need to address the financial situation of the Organisation, and decided it needed additional information on the savings that are being made, and on possible additional funding requirements for the remainder of the year 2001.

The Council adopted a decision on the combined plans for the destruction and verification of one more chemical weapons production facility, Khimprom, in Volgograd. The Council also addressed the question of improving the language services provided to Member States and delegations. The Council elected its new Chairman, H.E. Dr Abdel Halim Babu Fatih Elrayah of Sudan, with effect from 12 May 2001, and for a term of office ending on 11 May 2002. It also elected four Vice-Chairpersons (from Mexico, Republic of Korea, Russian Federation, and Sweden).

The Director-General of the OPCW, José M Bustani, expressed his congratulations to the Chairman noting that, "Sudan, a member of the Arab League, joined the OPCW two years ago, and is now playing a very active role in the work of the Organisation. I hope that Sudan will encourage the other states in the region to accede to the CWC." T

The Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) came into existence on 29 April 1997. Its deed of foundation—the Chemical Weapons Convention—aims to achieve four principal objectives: the elimination of chemical weapons and of the capacity to develop them, the verification of non-proliferation, international assistance and protection in the event of the use or threat of use of chemical weapons, and international cooperation and assistance in the peaceful use of chemistry.

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