Chemical Weapons Convention National Authorities Meet in Madrid

A ten-day course for personnel of Spanish-speaking National Authorities was held in Madrid, Spain from 3 to 13 July 2006. A total of sixteen States Parties that are actively engaged in implementing the Chemical Weapons Convention attended the course, including representatives from Argentina, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Cuba, El Salvador, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Peru, and Uruguay.

This course provided government officials, serving in their respective CWC National Authorities, an in-depth understanding of how the chemical weapons ban is implemented nationally and how their National Authority can effectively manage this task.

A wide range of subjects were introduced and discussed. The National Authorities must be familiar with chemicals listed under the Convention, how international technical and legal cooperation can be requested and offered, the rights and obligations of the countries that join the Convention, as well as legislative and administrative measures to ensure that the chemical weapons ban is enforced nationally.

During the workshop, working groups dealt with scenarios to gain experience in identifying and declaring relevant industrial activity, and monitoring the production and trade in chemicals. These exercises also included scenarios that allowed the government officials to work through all aspects of an on-site, routine industrial inspection.

At the opening session of this course, the OPCW Legal Adviser, Mr Santiago Oñate Laborde —on behalf of the Director-General of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, Ambassador Rogelio Pfirter— expressed his deep appreciation to Spain for hosting this important event that contributes to the goal of effective implementation of the Convention in different regions of the world.

PR44/Rev.1 / 2006

Categories: National implementation