Status of industry inspections as at 21 April 2009

In the area of Article VI inspections, 40 such inspections have been completed since the Fifty-Fifth Session of the Council. This number includes three inspections at Schedule 1 facilities, five at Schedule 2 plant sites—of which one was with sampling and analysis—seven at Schedule 3 plant sites, and 25 at other chemical production facilities, or OCPFs.

Following are the paragraphs related to industry inspections contained in the opening statement by the OPCW Director-General to the Executive Council at its 56th session.

Industry inspections

Of course, our Convention is both a disarmament and a non-proliferation instrument, a particular feature being verification of the global chemical industry. The verification of industry is in fact the backbone of this non-proliferation objective. That is why I have stressed the need for a continual review of both the intensity and the focus of our industry verification regime, always, of course, within the strict context of the Convention.

In the area of Article VI inspections, 40 such inspections have been completed since the Fifty-Fifth Session of the Council. This number includes three inspections at Schedule 1 facilities, five at Schedule 2 plant sites—of which one was with sampling and analysis—seven at Schedule 3 plant sites, and 25 at other chemical production facilities, or OCPFs.

As regards the performance of the modified OCPF site-selection methodology in 2008, a progress report was circulated to the States Parties prior to the last session of the Council, informal consultations were held on 1 April in the context of the Industry Cluster, as was recalled by His Excellency the Ambassador of Algeria, Vice Chairperson and head of this Cluster. I hope that these consultations have contributed to further enhancing the common understanding on this very important topic. As mentioned during the consultations, the results so far have confirmed our overall estimate of the impact of the modified site-selection methodology. The Secretariat will continue to review the performance of the OCPF site-selection methodology, and will communicate further with States Parties on relevant aspects, and report again in early 2010. In the meantime, we reiterate the necessity that these interim measures be complemented and finally formalised through the overall decision which Member States will have to take in accordance with paragraph 11 of Part IX of the Verification Annex to the Convention. It is with Member States that ultimately the responsibility of this urgent matter lies.

As I mentioned in my statement at the last Session of the Council, the Secretariat has commenced preparations for a seminar on OCPF-related matters in the margins of the annual meeting of National Authorities to be held prior to the Fourteenth Session of the Conference of the States Parties. We will be developing a concept and programme for this event, which we intend to share with Member States shortly after this Council Session.

I would note again that the seminar is to be funded through voluntary contributions. I would, therefore, like to encourage States Parties to consider making resources available for this important event, which might lead to a better understanding of OCPF-related matters.

Categories: Executive Council, Non-proliferation of chemical weapons

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 OPENING STATEMENT BY THE DIRECTOR-GENERAL TO THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL AT ITS FIFTY-SIXTH SESSION (82 kB)