OPCW

Secretariat

International Cooperation and Assistance Division

S/264/2001

10 July 2001

ENGLISH only

(Unofficial electronic version)

1. Due to the financial situation of the OPCW the Secretariat had to postpone the previously announced basic course for personnel involved in the national implementation of the Chemical Weapons Convention (S/230/2000, dated 5 December 2000, and S/242/2001, dated 31 January 2001). The Secretariat is now pleased to announce that a five-day basic course will be held at the OPCW headquarters in The Hague, the Netherlands, from 5 - 9 November 2001. In addition to that, a five-day advanced course for personnel involved in the national implementation of the Convention will be held at the same time and at the same location.

2. This basic course is primarily intended for the personnel of National Authorities with little or no previous involvement in the implementation of the Chemical Weapons Convention. It should be noted that the course will not be able to cover the more specialised needs of declared CW possessor States Parties to the Convention. The content of the basic course is presented in annex 1 to this invitation.

3. The advanced course is aimed at those who have either already attended a basic course for personnel of National Authorities, or who have been involved for at least one year in the national implementation of the Convention. The content of the advanced course is presented in annex 3 to this invitation.

4. During both courses, in addition to lectures, the participants will be divided into groups, each group representing the National Authority of a fictitious country. The groups will be given numerous examples of problems that might confront a National Authority in its implementation of the Convention, and will be expected to present solutions to these problems. The problems and the solutions will then be analysed and discussed.

5. Throughout the course, the language of instruction will be English. It will not be possible for participants to follow the course unless they have a good working knowledge of this language. No interpretation facilities of any kind will be provided.

6. To enable participants to prepare themselves, extensive background material on the subjects covered by the course will be available for downloading from the OPCW website (URL: http://www.opcw.org/). Participants without Internet access may request the Secretariat to send the background material to their respective missions to the OPCW, for forwarding to them.

7. The Secretariat expects to be able to sponsor a limited number of candidates nominated by Member States. When proposing candidates, Member States should specify whether sponsorship is a precondition for their participation. For such participants, the Secretariat will cover the costs of the course fee, travel, accommodation and medical insurance. It will also provide a limited subsistence allowance to cover other related costs such as meals. The Secretariat will cover the cost of accommodation only if it arranges such accommodation. Participants who neither need nor intend to use the accommodation to be provided by the Secretariat are requested to inform the Secretariat about it as early as possible, in order to avoid any cancellation fees. The daily subsistence allowance will remain unchanged in case participants opt to make their own accommodation arrangements. In making travel arrangements for the sponsored participants, the Secretariat will use the most economical arrangements possible. Tickets will be purchased by the Secretariat and sent to participants. Participants will be allowed to purchase tickets locally only when this leads to further savings to the Secretariat and when this is authorised in advance by the Secretariat. Any costs due to the changes or cancellations made by participants after the tickets are purchased will have to be borne by the participants.

8. For non-sponsored participants, the course fee will be NLG 300 per person, including the course materials. Non-sponsored participants are requested to arrange their own accommodation, although, if necessary, the Secretariat can arrange accommodation at reduced rates.

9. Participants who require a visa and/or transit visas are requested to make their own arrangements.

10. Member States that have not previously sent participants to a basic or an advanced course organised by the Secretariat are particularly encouraged to nominate candidates. Member States that have submitted applications in response to the Secretariat invitation S/230/2000, with regard to the basic course previously planned for February-March of this year, are invited to confirm whether these applications are still valid, and whether they should be considered by the Secretariat for the basic course now planned for 5 - 9 November 2001. One candidate from each such Member State will be given priority.

11. Nominations of candidates by signatory and non-signatory States to participate in the basic course will also be considered. The number of places available for such candidates may be limited, however.

12. Member States and other States are invited to submit the names of candidates for the course to the Secretariat not later than Monday 17 September 2001, using the nomination form for the basic course contained in annex 2 to this invitation, or the nomination form for the advanced course contained in annex 4. Nominations received after that date will not normally be considered. The completed nomination forms should be addressed to the Director, International Cooperation and Assistance Division, OPCW, Johan de Wittlaan 32, NL-2517 JR The Hague, the Netherlands. Nominations may also be submitted by fax (+31-(0)-70-3063535) or by e-mail (ipb@opcw.org). It is important for all details requested on the form to be provided, so that the Secretariat can communicate directly with the proposed candidates.

13. Additional information about the course may be obtained from the Implementation Support Branch, International Cooperation and Assistance Division, which can be contacted as specified in the previous paragraph.

Annexes

Annex 1: Content of the Basic Course

Annex 2: Nomination Form for the Basic Course

Annex 3: Content of the Advanced Course

Annex 4: Nomination Form for the Advanced Course

ANNEX 1

THE HAGUE, THE NETHERLANDS, 5 - 9 NOVEMBER 2001

COURSE CONTENT

1. GENERAL INTRODUCTION

1.1 HISTORY OF CHEMICAL WEAPONS AND CHEMICAL DISARMAMENT

Develop an understanding of the history of chemical weapons and chemical disarmament.

Duration: 1 period

1.2 CHEMICAL WEAPONS CONVENTION AND ITS IMPLEMENTATION

Develop a conceptually based understanding and knowledge of the provisions of the CWC and the rights and obligations of a State Party. Subjects include: an overview of the CWC; the object and purpose of the CWC; the benefits of the CWC; and sources of information on the CWC. Develop an understanding and knowledge of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), its structure and mission, and how it implements the CWC. Develop an overview of the current status of implementation, including important outstanding issues.

Duration: 3 periods

1.3 LEGAL RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS UNDER THE CWC

Develop an overview of the legislative and administrative measures a State Party needs to introduce in order to implement the CWC, and the use of model legislation to meet some of these requirements.

Duration: 1 period

Develop an ability to deal, in a group representing the National Authority of a fictitious country, with examples of problems that might confront a National Authority in its implementation of the Convention.

Duration: 3 periods

Total duration of the lectures, exercises and scenarios: 27 periods

In addition, eight periods will be required for the opening of the course, administrative matters, preparation group work, course evaluation, a tour of the OPCW headquarters, and the closure of the course. The total duration of the course will therefore be 35 periods.

ANNEX 2

BASIC COURSE FOR PERSONNEL INVOLVED IN THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE CHEMICAL WEAPONS CONVENTION

THE HAGUE, THE NETHERLANDS, 5 - 9 NOVEMBER 2001

NOMINATION FORM

Please submit the completed form by 17 September 2001 to: The Director, International Cooperation and Assistance Division, OPCW, Johan de Wittlaan 32, NL-2517 JR The Hague, the Netherlands. Fax: +31-(0)-70-3063535; e-mail: ipb@opcw.org

Please use BLOCK LETTERS

1. Family name
2. First name
3. Date of birth	Day Month Year
4. Nationality
5. Male/Female*	male female
6. Passport no.
7. Date of issue	Day Month Year
8. Date of expiry	Day Month Year
9. Place of issue
10. Areas of expertise
11. Employer 12. Contact address	Name of the Institute/Organisation, etc.   Street Number Post Code City Country
13. E-mail address
14. Telephone no. (home/work)	Country Code City Code Home Telephone Country City Code Work Telephone Mobile
15. Fax no. (home/work)	Country Code City Code Home Fax Country Code City Code Work Fax
16. Has nominee previously attended a basic course of this kind?*	Yes No If "Yes", when and where?
17. Sponsorship required?*	Yes No
18. Secretariat assistance in finding accommodation required?*	Yes No

* Please tick appropriate box.

ANNEX 3

ADVANCED COURSE FOR PERSONNEL INVOLVED IN THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE CHEMICAL WEAPONS CONVENTION

THE HAGUE, THE NETHERLANDS, 5 - 9 NOVEMBER 2001

COURSE CONTENT

1. CHEMICAL WEAPONS CONVENTION: STATUS OF IMPLEMENTATION

Develop an overview of the current status of implementation, including important outstanding issues.

Duration: 1 period

2.1 OPERATIONAL TASKS RELATING TO DECLARATIONS

Develop a detailed understanding of Article VI declaration requirements, as well as of the export and import provisions of the Convention. Develop the ability to prepare, with the help of the Declaration Handbook, correct and timely declarations as required under the Convention.

Duration: 4 periods

2.2 IDENTIFICATION OF DECLARABLE ACTIVITIES AND FACILITIES

Develop an understanding of how declarable activities in a State Party, especially declarable imports, can be identified, and of the regulations that may be required to ascertain the accuracy of the declared data.

Duration: 1 period

2.3 UNRESOLVED CHEMICAL INDUSTRY ISSUES

Develop an understanding of chemical industry issues affecting declaration and inspection requirements that remain the object of discussion among States Parties. Discuss possible approaches to implementing State Party obligations under the Convention in regard to such issues.

Duration: 1 period

2.4 DECLARATION EXERCISE

On the basis of data provided, compile plant site data required for national declarations under Article VI.

Duration: 5 periods

3. INSPECTIONS

3.1 SCHEDULE 2 AND 3 INSPECTIONS

Develop a detailed understanding of the Convention’s requirements concerning the verification of Schedule 2 and 3 facilities. Develop a good understanding and knowledge of the Schedule 2 and 3 inspection process, including the scope of verification, CWC inspection requirements, inspectors’ rights and obligations, monitoring and sampling, storage and transport of samples of toxic materials and analytical methods and instrumentation. Develop an understanding of the rights and obligations of a State Party in relation to Schedule 2 and 3 inspections.

Duration: 2 periods

3.2 OCPF INSPECTIONS

Develop a detailed understanding of the Convention requirements concerning the verification of other chemical production facilities (OCPFs). Develop a good understanding and knowledge of the OCPF inspection process, including the scope of verification, CWC inspection requirements, inspectors’ rights and obligations, monitoring and sampling, storage and transport of samples of toxic materials and analytical methods and instrumentation. Develop an understanding of the rights and obligations of a State Party in relation to OCPF inspections.

Duration: 2 periods

4. INSPECTION EXERCISE

On the basis of data provided, prepare for and provide a national escort for an inspection of a Schedule 2 facility.

Duration: 4 periods

Exchange experiences of national implementation of the Convention, including the functioning of National Authorities. Develop an understanding of the National Authority support programmes offered by the Secretariat.

Duration: 2 periods

6. SCENARIOS

Develop an ability to deal, in a group representing the National Authority of a fictitious country, with examples of problems that might confront a National Authority in its implementation of the Convention.

Duration: 5 periods

Total duration of the lectures, exercises and scenarios: 27 periods

In addition, eight periods will be required for the opening of the course, administrative matters, preparation group work, course evaluation, a tour of the OPCW headquarters, and the closure of the course. The total duration of the course will therefore be 35 periods.

ANNEX 4

ADVANCED COURSE FOR PERSONNEL INVOLVED IN THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE CHEMICAL WEAPONS CONVENTION

THE HAGUE, THE NETHERLANDS, 5 - 9 NOVEMBER 2001

NOMINATION FORM

Please submit the completed form 17 September 2001 to: The Director, International Cooperation and Assistance Division, OPCW, Johan de Wittlaan 32, NL-2517 JR The Hague, the Netherlands. Fax: +31-(0)-70-3063535; e-mail: ipb@opcw.org

Please use BLOCK LETTERS

1. Family name
2. First name
3. Date of birth	Day Month Year
4. Nationality
5. Male/Female*	male female
6. Passport no.
7. Date of issue	Day Month Year
8. Date of expiry	Day Month Year
9. Place of issue
10. Areas of expertise
11. Employer 12. Contact address	Name of the Institute/Organisation, etc.   Street Number Post Code City Country
13. E-mail address
14. Telephone no. (home/work)	Country Code City Code Home Telephone Country City Code Work Telephone Mobile
15. Fax no. (home/work)	Country Code City Code Home Fax Country Code City Code Work Fax
16. Has nominee previously attended a basic course of this kind?*	Yes No If "Yes", when and where?
17. Sponsorship required?*	Yes No
18. Secretariat assistance in finding accommodation required?*	Yes No

* Please tick appropriate box.

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