Parliamentarians from OPCW Member States Gather in The Hague to Discuss CWC Implementation

The Sixth Annual Meeting of National Authorities, implementing the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC), has commenced in The Hague. This forum, held from 26 to 28 November 2004 at the headquarters of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), is the world's largest forum for National Authorities personnel, whose daily responsibilities include the national implementation of the CWC. Delegations representing 90 States Parties, as well as two States not Party, namely the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Republic of the Congo, are attending the Meeting.

For the first time, representatives from national parliaments will participate and discuss how parliaments can advance and ensure the full and effective national implementation of the CWC. The CWC requires diligent and comprehensive legislative/administrative measures at the national level to be able to ensure a chemical weapons-free world. This objective can only be reached with the active cooperation and interaction with national parliaments. Together with the International Parliamentary Union, the OPCW is endeavouring to enhance parliamentarians' awareness of the need for effective national implementation. One of the aims of this National Authorities' Meeting is to initiate an on-going process of active involvement and outreach.

The OPCW now numbers 167 Member States. As foreseen by the CWC, 135 Member States have established a National Authority (as at 31 August 2004 ). The CWC also requires that each Member State adopt legislation to provide the legal basis for the CWC's national implementation. Thus far, 96 Member States have implemented in some form the required legislation (as at 31 August 2004).

Parliaments play a vital role in drafting, reviewing and approving such legislation. No progress is possible without them — with them the CWC's goals can be met in full. The OPCW offers its support to all Member States engaged in the work of drafting, reviewing and enacting the legislation as foreseen by the CWC.

When the appropriate and obligatory legislation is enacted, Member States can monitor trade in certain chemicals to prevent the proliferation of chemical weapons, as well as allow for declarations of relevant industrial activity and on-site inspections to verify that chemicals are not diverted for any prohibited purpose. National implementing legislation grants authorities the ability to detect, pursue and prosecute any breach of the CWC's prohibitions.

In his opening remarks, OPCW Director-General, Ambassador Rogelio Pfirter, noted that "Parliaments play a key role in ensuring that national legislation is available to make the CWC truly operational and effective at the national level. This meeting is a first step in the process of involving national legislators in the work of the OPCW."

Professor Henk de Haan, Chairman of the Committee of Foreign Affairs and Member of the Dutch Parliament, Second Chamber, and the Rt Hon Lord Morris of Aberavon QC, Member of the British Parliament and representative of the British Group of the Inter-Parliamentary Union also addressed the meeting.

62/2004

Categories: Parliamentarians