S/370/2003: Workshop and Exhibition on National Response Systems to Protect Against Chemical Emergencies, The Hague, The Netherlands, 19

	OPCW	Technical Secretariat
International Cooperation and Assistance Division
S/370/2003
1 August 2003
ENGLISH only

NOTE BY THE TECHNICAL SECRETARIAT

WORKSHOP AND EXHIBITION ON
NATIONAL RESPONSE SYSTEMS
TO PROTECT AGAINST CHEMICAL EMERGENCIES
THE HAGUE, THE NETHERLANDS
19 – 20 NOVEMBER 2003

1. The Technical Secretariat (hereinafter “the Secretariat”) of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) wishes to announce that the annual workshop on protection against chemical weapons will be held at OPCW headquarters on 19 and 20 November 2003. The theme of the workshop this year will be "National Response Systems to Protect against Chemical Emergencies".

2. An exhibition of equipment on the same theme will be held concurrently at the same venue.

3. The workshop and the exhibition follow the reaffirmation by the First Special Session of the Conference of the States Parties to Review the Operation of the Chemical Weapons Convention (First Review Conference) of the continuing relevance and importance both of the provisions of Article X of the Chemical Weapons Convention (hereinafter “the Convention”) and of the activities of the OPCW in relation to assistance and protection against chemical weapons (RC-1/CoW.1, dated 9 May 2003). The First Review Conference noted that these activities had gained additional relevance in today's security context, and it reaffirmed that the Secretariat should continue with the activities it has undertaken to further improve the situation in this area, including providing expert advice to develop and improve national protective capacities, ensuring that the OPCW can facilitate the delivery of assistance when requested to do so by any Member State, and developing the OPCW's data bank on protection.

4. Additionally, the First Review Conference noted concerns related to the possibility that chemical facilities may become the object of attack, which could lead to the deliberate release, or the theft, of toxic chemicals. It noted that some States Parties had taken measures to minimise these risks, and in this context recalled that the OPCW had been established as a forum for consultation and cooperation among the States Parties. It stated that States Parties could, if they so decided, make use of this framework to exchange experiences and to discuss issues related to this matter.

5. As part of its effort to implement the decisions of the First Review Conference, and in accordance with established procedures, the Secretariat invites representatives from Member States, international organisations, research and academic institutions, and medical personnel working in this field to attend the above-mentioned workshop.

6. Companies and other organisations located in Member States and involved in producing and developing equipment related to response systems against chemical weapons and toxic chemicals are invited to display their latest equipment at the exhibition.

7. In order for the Secretariat to finalise the programme for the workshop, all those interested in presenting a paper at it are requested to contact the Assistance and Protection Branch of the International Cooperation and Assistance Division, whose details are given below.

8. Similarly, companies and institutions that are interested in displaying their equipment at the exhibition are also requested to contact the Assistance and Protection Branch.

9. All activities will be conducted in English only, and no interpretation services of any kind will be provided. All attendees should therefore be proficient in English.

10. Companies and organisations will be provided with the space and facilities to display their equipment. The Secretariat’s intention to provide interested companies with display facilities shall not be construed as approval of any of the displays. Companies and research organisations are expected to contribute to the workshop at their own expense.

11. Further details will be issued in due course. Those interested in attending the workshop and/or the exhibition are requested to complete the registration form annexed to this Note. The form should be sent to the Assistance and Protection Branch, International Cooperation and Assistance Division, OPCW, Johan de Wittlaan 32, 2517 JR, The Hague, the Netherlands, and be received no later than 19 September 2003.

12. Additional information may be obtained from the Assistance and Protection Branch:

Telephone: + 31 (0)70 416 3555 or 416 3775
Fax: +31 (0)70 306 3535 or 416 3209
E-mail: EmergAssistBr@opcw.org.

Annex: Registration Form

Annex

WORKSHOP AND EXHIBITION ON
NATIONAL RESPONSE SYSTEMS
TO PROTECT AGAINST CHEMICAL EMERGENCIES
THE HAGUE, THE NETHERLANDS
19 – 20 NOVEMBER 2003

REGISTRATION FORM

Please submit the completed registration form no later than 19 September 2003 to the Assistance and Protection Branch, ICA Division, OPCW,
Johan de Wittlaan 32, 2517 JR The Hague, the Netherlands
Fax: + 31 (0)70 306 3535 or 416 3209; e-mail: EmergAssistBr@opcw.org.

In addition to providing the details requested below, those interested in presenting a paper at the workshop and/or in displaying equipment at the exhibition are requested to contact the Assistance and Protection Branch directly.

Please use BLOCK LETTERS.

Family name:
First name:
Title:
Nationality:
Contact address:

Telephone numbers, including country and city codes: Phone:
Fax:
Mobile:
E-mail address:
Employer:
Employer’s address:
Area(s) of expertise:

Will you also be contacting the Assistance and Protection Branch?*
Yes, with a view to presenting a paper ____
Yes, with a view to exhibiting equipment ____
No ____

Date:
Signature:

*Please tick accordingly.