OPCW

Secretariat

NOTE BY THE SECRETARIAT

FIFTH ANNUAL ASSISTANCE COORDINATION WORKSHOP

VIENNA, AUSTRIA

15-19 OCTOBER 2001

1. On behalf of the Government of Austria and the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), the Director-General wishes to invite Member States of the OPCW to nominate participants for the Fifth Annual Assistance Coordination Workshop, which will be held in Vienna, Austria, from 15 to 19 October 2001.

2. This workshop follows the Fourth International Assistance Coordination Workshop held in the Russian Federation, from 9 to 12 October 2000. The workshop will provide a forum for States Parties to share their experiences of the practical implementation of Article X on the provision of assistance, and will enable them to review in detail the concept of assistance developed by the Secretariat under Article X of the Convention. There will also be a demonstration of the offer made by Austria, under Article X of the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC). The workshop will be jointly organised by the Government of Austria and the Secretariat.

3. The workshop will provide participants with the opportunity to review proposed mechanisms for the coordination of the delivery of assistance, and to find practical solutions to such issues as logistics, training in the use of protection equipment, and procedures to ensure the timely delivery of such assistance. Given the objective of the workshop, and its technical nature, candidates should be carefully selected. Participants should have background experience in the provision of assistance, together with a good command of spoken English. The workshop is intended to draw together officials and experts from National Authorities, from other governmental ministries, and/or from the chemical industry, who are, or who will be, associated with offers to deliver assistance to Member States.

4. It is anticipated that participants will arrive on Sunday, 14 October 2001, and will depart on Friday, 19 October 2001. Participants are requested to obtain any necessary visas (including transit visas) before travelling to Austria. The Secretariat expects to be able to sponsor a limited number of candidates nominated by the Member States of the OPCW, and to cover their travel costs. When proposing candidates for the workshop, Member States should specify whether such sponsorship is a precondition for their participation. Further details about accommodation, the course venue, and transportation will be issued to participants at a later date.

5. Interested Member States are invited to complete the nomination form contained in Annex 1 to this Note, giving the full name and address (including fax and telephone numbers, and an e-mail address, if available) of each nominee, together with his/her affiliation and area(s) of expertise. The completed nomination form, together with a brief curriculum vitae for each nominee, should be submitted to the Assistance and Protection Branch, International Cooperation and Assistance Division. Nominations should be submitted as soon as possible, but no later than 31 July 2001, to allow sufficient time for the OPCW Secretariat and the Austrian authorities to make the necessary arrangements. In the meantime, Member States are requested to inform the International Cooperation and Assistance Division of any administrative or other problems that may arise in relation to the attendance of any nominee.

6. A tentative schedule for the workshop is attached as Annex 2 to this Note. Further details of the arrangements will be issued as soon as the International Cooperation and Assistance Division receives confirmation from participants that they will be attending the workshop. Any questions may be addressed to the Assistance and Protection Branch, International Cooperation and Assistance Division:

Tel.: +31 (0)70 416 3555; 416 3376

Fax: +31 (0)70 306 3535

E-mail: EmergAssistBr@opcw.org

ANNEXES (ENGLISH ONLY)

Annex 1: Nomination form

Annex 2: Programme

Annex 1

ANNUAL ASSISTANCE COORDINATION WORKSHOP

VIENNA, AUSTRIA

15-19 OCTOBER 2001

NOMINATION FORM

To be completed by Member States to propose participants. Please use BLOCK LETTERS.

Details of nominee

Annex 2

ANNUAL ASSISTANCE COORDINATION WORKSHOP

VIENNA, AUSTRIA

15-19 OCTOBER 2001

PROGRAMME

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