Canada Contributes to Russia’s Chemical Weapons Destruction Programme

Canada will contribute 100 million Canadian dollars (C$) towards the construction of a chemical weapons destruction facility at Kizner, in the Russian Federation. According to a recent announcement made by the Canadian Government this is part of Canada’s $1-billion commitment over 10 years to the Global Partnership Against the Spread of Weapons and Materials of Mass Destruction, launched by the G8 in 2002 under Canada’s leadership.

Canada has already contributed more than C$100 million to the chemical weapons destruction facility at Shchuch’ye (Russia), which deals with the destruction of large quantities of chemical weapons. This amount includes C$55 million for equipment for the chemical weapons destruction facility, C$33 million for the construction of a secure railway to transport the munitions from the storage to destruction site, and C$15 million for support of key infrastructure projects.

The additional C$100 million being provided by Canada will be used to complete work at Shchuch’ye and to support the construction of the chemical weapons destruction facility at Kizner (Russia), where the destruction of nearly 5,700 tonnes of nerve agent, stored in approximately 2 million artillery shells and munitions, will be undertaken. Canadian funds are also being used for the operation of a Green Cross Public Outreach Office, to keep the civilian population informed on the progress made in chemical weapons destruction activities.

The Director-General of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), Ambassador Rogelio Pfirter, commended the Government of Canada for this important new contribution and its firm commitment to multilateral disarmament. He noted that such contributions greatly supplemented Russia’s efforts at chemical disarmament. They were also vital to the attainment of the Convention’s objective of the complete elimination of chemical weapons from the world.

PR48 / 2006

Categories: Disarmament