Second Course of the OPCW Associate Programme Concluded

The second OPCW Associate Programme, which began on 6 August 2001, came to a close today. All eleven trainees—from Algeria, Armenia, Ethiopia, Ghana, Guinea, Kenya, Lithuania, Morocco, Pakistan, Peru, and Zimbabwe—successfully completed the programme.

The course focused on facilitating industry-related national implementation of the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC), enhancing the national capacities in the Member States, facilitating trade in chemistry through the adoption of best practice in the chemical industry, and broadening the pool of qualified professionals skilled in the implementation of the CWC.

The programme also included access to modern chemical practices during a training period at the University of Surrey (UK), and a three-week internship at chemical plants in Belgium, France, and the Netherlands. The governments of the United Kingdom and Canada provided financial support for the training phase at the University of Surrey.

In these times especially, when the threat is evident that terrorists might use chemical weapons, it is important to emphasise how crucial the role of the CWC is in preventing proliferation. As OPCW Director-General José M. Bustani asserted, "The Associate Programme not only contributes to building new capacities in Member States, but also makes a real contribution towards a non-proliferation culture."

The Associate Programme has, for the first time, brought together Member States, industry, academia and the OPCW Secretariat in a unique partnership, one which can be expected to develop, consolidate, and diversify the process of implementing the Convention. Elaborating further, Mr Bustani said, "We must not for a moment lose sight of the importance of ensuring that the investment made by Member States in global security also produces a tangible return in terms of their national economic development."

"The Associate Programme will be expanded in the near future," Mr Bustani stressed. "We are, in fact, exploring the possibility of doubling the intake of Associates in 2002; however, this will depend upon the assistance provided by Member States, industry, and others."

22/2001

Categories: Associate Programme