The Government of Tajikistan in conjunction with the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) organised the third regional workshop for National Authorities of States Parties in Central Asia on the practical implementation of the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, from 29 to 31 August 2005. Thirty-four participants from the following 15 OPCW Member States attended this workshop: Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Belarus, Georgia, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, the Netherlands, Oman, the Russian Federation, Tajikistan, the United States of America, and Uzbekistan.
The workshop was opened by Mr Sherali Jononov, Head, International Treaty Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Government of Tajikistan.
The objective of the workshop was to provide a framework within which representatives of National Authorities could review issues relating to the practical implementation of the CWC and exchange implementation-related experience, under the following thematic clusters: (a) legislative and administrative measures to be taken to implement the Convention in individual Member States represented at the workshop, including the drafting, enactment, and enforcement of implementing legislation and privileges and immunities agreements; (b) administrative requirements for the successful functioning of a National Authority; (c) identification of declarable industry sites and activities, and submission of accurate declarations under Article VI of the CWC; and (d) implementation-support projects in the sub-region of Central Asia.
Considering the deadlines established in the plan of action regarding the implementation of Article VII obligations (C-8/DEC.16, dated 24 October 2003), the workshop was used to provide participating States Parties practical assistance in finalising the necessary legislative and administrative procedures as well as in collecting and submitting accurate declarations.
The regional workshop will be followed by a two-day training course for the personnel responsible of the national implementation of the CWC in Afghanistan and Tajikistan, on 1-2 September 2005.
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