President of Benin Visits the OPCW

The President of the Republic of Benin, H.E. Dr Boni Yayi, visited the headquarters of the OPCW on 22 January 2009 and met with the OPCW Director-General, Ambassador Rogelio Pfirter. While visiting the headquarters President Yani toured the Operations Centre and received a briefing on the implementation of the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC).

In his meeting with the Director-General, President Yayi expressed his appreciation for the OPCW’s work and its contribution to international peace and security, as well as Benin’s strong commitment to the Organisation and to the CWC. He stressed the importance of promoting the peaceful uses of chemistry and asked the Organisation to support activities in the area of international cooperation from which Benin might benefit.

For his part, Director-General Pfirter briefed President Yayi on the work of the OPCW and on its consensus-based approach to policymaking. He assured President Yayi of the OPCW’s readiness to assist Benin with concrete activities in the area of international cooperation and the peaceful uses of chemistry.

President Yayi was accompanied by a delegation of senior authorities from the Government of Benin which included H.E. Mr Pascal Irénée Koupaki, Minister of State (for development); H.E. Mr Jean-Marie Ehouzou, Minister of Foreign Affairs; and H.E. Mr Issa Badarou, Minister of Maritime Economy and Transports. 

Categories: Africa, Outreach