OPCW Director-General Addresses the Peace and Security Council of the African Union and Meets the Chairperson of the AU Commission

The OPCW Director-General, Ambassador Rogelio Pfirter, visited Addis Ababa, Ethiopia on 19 November 2008 to address the Peace and Security Council (PSC) of the African Union (AU) on the status of implementation of the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) and the work of the OPCW, and to meet with senior AU officials.

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In the address to the PSC, Director-General Pfirter expressed deep appreciation for Africa’s strong support for the CWC and his gratitude to African States Parties for their active contribution in advancing the goals of the Convention. Underlining the strong relationship between the OPCW and African countries, he reiterated the commitment of the OPCW to further strengthen cooperation with the AU. He highlighted the Africa Programme as a symbol of his desire for lending greater depth to OPCW’s relationship with Africa. Director-General Pfirter also highlighted the importance of achieving universality and full implementation of the Convention on the continent. Participating in a debate after his statement, members of the PSC expressed their support for the Convention and its successful operation. They evinced keen interest in the work of the OPCW and its benefits not only in terms of peace and security objectives but also in the areas of assistance and protection as well as international cooperation.

In his meeting with the Chairperson of the AU Commission, H.E. Mr Jean Ping, the Director-General briefed him about the status of implementation of the CWC and thanked him for the support which the AU and African States provide to the work of the OPCW. The Chairperson praised the OPCW for its achievements and excellent work and conveyed the AU’s firm support for the Convention, stressing that the African continent must remain free of chemical weapons. He also indicated his readiness to assist OPCW efforts for promoting universality of the Convention. Director-General Pfirter and Mr Ping agreed to explore further avenues of enhancing cooperation between the OPCW and the AU. The Director-General extended a cordial invitation to Dr. Ping to visit the Headquarters of the OPCW in the near future.

Director-General Pfirter also met with the Deputy Chairperson of the AU Commission, H.E. Mr Erastus Mwencha, and provided him a general overview of the Convention and OPCW. The Deputy Chairperson expressed keen interest in the OPCW’s organisational matters and programmes.

The Director-General met as well with the PSC Chairperson, H.E. Mull Sebujja Katende, Ambassador of Uganda to Ethiopia and to the AU. The PSC Chairperson thanked the Director-General for his very comprehensive presentation on the Convention and the OPCW, including as regards universality in Africa, and underlined the importance of bringing countries on the continent that remain States not Party into the OPCW family.

Categories: Africa, National implementation, Outreach, Universality