The Hague, 21 September 2004

The Second Regional Meeting of National Authorities of States Parties in Asia Opens in Beijing

The Government of the People’s Republic of China and the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) have jointly organised the Second Meeting of National Authorities of States Parties in Asia that commenced in Beijing, China on 20 September 2004. This meeting has been organised with the aim of creating a platform for the collective promotion in the region of the goals of the Convention—an aim expressed by the first regional meeting of National Authorities from Asia held in Singapore in 2003. Over 100 participants from 30 countries including States Parties from within the region and outside, as well as non-States Parties are participating in this event.

The objective of these National Authority meetings is to facilitate the exchange of information to identify common problems and facilitate their resolution through the cooperation of States Parties and the Secretariat, as well as to enhance the National Authority’s self-sufficiency in implementing the Convention’s stipulations.

In this meeting, National Authorities are discussing the practical measures needed to fulfil the objectives of the Action Plan on enhancing the effectiveness of the Chemical Weapons Convention’s (CWC) National Implementation Measures, the status of the Convention’s implementation in Asia, focussing on the CWC’s requirements for legislative and administrative provisions to monitor and declare transfers of Scheduled Chemicals and identification of declarable Article VI facilities.

In his opening statement, H.E. Mr Yesui Zhang, Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China, recognized the critical role of the Chemical Weapons Convention in the fight against terrorism and the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, as well as in the preservation of world peace and security. He reiterated China’s strong commitment to, and consistent support of, the object and purpose of the Convention. Vice Minister Zhang stated that one of the reasons for his country co-hosting this meeting was that “China has always held a view that all States Parties should learn from one another’s strong points in order to make up for their weaknesses in terms of implementation, which is rather important in achieving the object and purpose of the Convention.”

In his opening remarks at this meeting, OPCW Director-General, Mr Rogelio Pfirter, reiterated this danger posed by chemical terrorism “Individuals and non-state entities continue to seek access to chemicals to harm human beings and spread terror. We, as custodians of the only multilateral instrument that bans an entire category of weapons of mass destruction from the face of this Earth must work to preclude this possibility”. Director-General Pfirter noted the crucial role of effective legislation and controls in preventing chemical terrorism and called upon National Authorities to continue to work in that direction. He also noted with satisfaction the presence of several delegations from Non-Member States and expressed the hope that they will soon join the membership of the OPCW.