Fourth OPCW National Authorities Basic Course Held in Paris, France

A Basic Course for National Authorities implementing the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) was conducted in Paris, France from 16 to 26 October 2006. The Basic Course is a contribution by the Government of France to support of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons’ (OPCW) Action Plan to enhance national implementation. Three previous courses were held in the French capital in 2005 and 2006.

The Centre Français de Formation pour l’Interdiction des Armes Chimiques (CEFFIAC) supported in the organisation in this course.

The Basic Course was attended by representatives of the following 23 Member States, ensuring a balanced geographical distribution: Algeria, Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, Azerbaijan, Benin, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Cameroon, China, Côte d’Ivoire, Croatia, Equatorial Guinea, India, Iran (Islamic Republic of), Ireland, Jordan, Kyrgyzstan, Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, Madagascar, Malaysia, Morocco, Qatar, Sweden and Zambia.

A representative from one non-Signatory State—the Republic of Montenegro—participated in this course.

In his opening remarks to the Course, OPCW Deputy Director-General of the OPCW, Mr John Freeman, thanked the Government of France, its Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Defence, and the French National Authority for their support in organising the course. He also expressed his gratitude to the Members States and the European Union for the financial support and expertise they have provided since the Action Plan was adopted. He encouraged the participants to apply the knowledge they acquired during the course to enhance the Convention’s implementation in their own countries.

During his official visit to France, Deputy Director-General Freeman met representatives from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Centre Français de Formation pour l’Interdiction des Armes Chimiques.

The Basic Course’s programme offered a comprehensive overview of all aspects of the CWC’s effective national implementation, including a detailed review of the CWC and the functioning of the OPCW, the establishment and operation of National Authorities, the legal rights and obligations of States Parties under the CWC, and the objectives of the national implementation Action Plan.

During the Basic Course, participants heard briefings on the types of chemical weapons, the toxic properties of chemicals, as well as the OPCW’s programmes to deliver assistance and protection, foster international cooperation, and support Member States in the national implementation of the CWC. Implementation support includes advice and assistance in preparing declarations and receiving inspections. Table-top exercises and scenarios were used to test the participants’ understanding of the Convention’s implementation.

PR74 / 2006

Categories: National implementation