CEFIC Director-General Visits the OPCW; Confirms European Chemical Industry Support

On 25 January 2007, the Director General of the European Chemical Industry Association (CEFIC), Mr Alain Perroy, paid an official visit to the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) and met OPCW Director-General, Ambassador Rogelio Pfirter.

During their meeting Director-General Pfirter briefed Mr Perroy on the status of the implementation of the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) and the efforts undertaken by the OPCW Member States to eliminate all chemical weapons. Ambassador Pfirter also drew attention to the OPCW’s mandate to verify this destruction activity, as well as to monitor relevant industry activity. Industrial verification under the CWC is conducted in partnership with global chemical industry to ensure that chemicals are not used for purposes prohibited by the CWC. Ambassador Pfirter underscored industry’s indispensable role in preventing the spread of chemical weapons by abiding by the CWC’s international transfer restrictions to specific chemicals. Director-General Pfirter stressed that the CWC will achieve its fullest deterrent effect when all nations join and fully implement the global chemical weapons ban.

In their meeting, Mr Perroy reiterated the strong commitment of CEFIC to the Organisation in its mission to fully and effectively implement the CWC, contributing to global peace and security. He informed Director-General Pfirter that CEFIC’s ResponsibleCare®, programme supports the CWC’s effective implementation by industry. He noted the strong cooperation between the OPCW and CEFIC and expressed his support for the meeting between OPCW Member States’ representatives and representatives of global chemical industry to be held in 2007 at the OPCW headquarters. In the same vein, Mr Perroy assured the Director-General that CEFIC would support the Second Review Conference in its comprehensive assessment of the CWC’s application.

Director General Pfirter commended CEFIC for the crucial role it plays in chemical industry to bring about a world where chemicals are used solely for peaceful purposes.

During this visit, Mr Perroy had the opportunity to meet senior staff of the OPCW Technical Secretariat, who provided further briefings on the implementation of the CWC by the OPCW’s 181 Member States. In this connection, Mr Perroy was supportive of the OPCW’s role in providing knowledge and expertise to industry aimed at meeting emerging challenges of terrorism.

In addition, Mr Perroy received a briefing on the preparations for the tenth anniversary of the entry into force of the CWC. He confirmed the active participation by CEFIC and the ICCA (International Council of Chemical Associations) in the preparations and conduct of the Industry and Protection Forum scheduled to take place on 2-3 November 2007 in The Hague.

PR4 / 2007

Categories: Non-proliferation of chemical weapons, Outreach, Western Europe and Other States