The Hague, 6 October 2003

ASSOCIATE PROGRAMME 2003 CONCLUDES

The fourth Associate Programme Course concluded on 3 October 2003. During this ten-week course, scientists and engineers from OPCW Member States whose economies are in development or in transition received the skills and experience needed to implement the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC). The course curriculum included in-depth familiarisation with the Convention’s stipulations, a 3-week segment at the University of Surrey (United Kingdom) to acquire an enhanced understanding of chemical processes and operations, as well as secondments to industrial facilities, visits to specialised institutions and individual research projects. The course has doubled in size since its launch, now supporting 24 participants from 24 Member States.

The programme has been designed to assist in capacity building by enhancing the skills required to operate effectively and safely in a modern chemical industry environment. It also aims to facilitate the implementation of the industry-related provisions of the Convention and to promote trade in areas relating to the peaceful uses of chemistry.

In his address at the Associate Programme’s closing ceremony, Acting OPCW Director-General, Mr. Brian Hawtin, noted that the recently concluded Review Conference particularly stressed the need for national capacity building in the field of chemical activities for peaceful purposes. Programmes such as the Associate Programme can contribute to that end by disseminating the benefits of joining the Convention, thereby promoting universality.

Upon the completion of the Programme, the Associates stressed their commitment to the universality of the CWC and assured the Organisation that the understanding of the Convention and its implementation gained through the Associate Programme would be widely disseminated in their countries.

The Organisation expressed its gratitude to the Member States whose invaluable support has made the Associate Programme possible. Japan and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland provided significant voluntary contributions.

The active involvement of chemical industry is a crucial prerequisite for success. The European Chemical Industry Council (CEFIC), as well as the chemical industry associations of Belgium (Fedichem), Finland (CIF), France (UIC), Germany (VCI), Italy (FEDERCHIMICA), the Netherlands (VNCI), Spain (FEIQUE), Sweden (KEMI KONTORET), and Switzerland (SSIC) support the Associate Programme. In addition, Industry sponsors, including Akzo Nobel (Sweden), BASF (Spain), Bayer (Belgium and Germany), Borealis (Sweden), Clariant (France), DuPont and Hydro Agri (Netherlands), Kemira (Finland), Lonza (Switzerland), Syndial (Italy) and Uniqema (Netherlands), have contributed towards the success of the 2003 Programme.