Using Chemistry for Peaceful Purposes: Intensive Training for OPCW Associates Begins

The Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) is hosting the Associate Programme for the seventh year in succession. The course commences in The Hague on 21 July 2006 and will conclude on 29 September 2006.

The OPCW Associate Programme is intended to provide chemists and chemical engineers from Member States of the Organisation, whose economies are either developing or in transition, with a better understanding of the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC). The course also promotes a greater awareness of the peaceful uses of chemistry. Participants representing twenty-four OPCW Member States will take part in the intensive ten-week programme, including representatives from Algeria, Belarus, Brazil, Cambodia, Croatia, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gambia, Ghana, India, Indonesia, Jordan, Malawi, Nigeria, Panama, Philippines, Rwanda, Sri Lanka, Tajikistan, Tunisia, Turkey, Uganda, Uruguay and Zambia.

During this training period, the twenty-four Associates will be given detailed information on the Convention’s provisions, in particular those that deal with the peaceful uses of chemistry and chemical safety. The Associates will enhance their knowledge of how the Convention’s ban on chemical weapons is implemented in industry at the national level. The Programme is designed to improve and expand Member States’ national capacities through chemical training for qualified personnel from industry, universities and government agencies. The adoption of best practice in chemical industry facilitates trade. The training also serves to broaden the pool of qualified specialists from which the CWC National Authorities and the OPCW can draw in future.

Theoretical study will be complemented by practical training, including project work at a pilot chemical plant at the University of Surrey, the United Kingdom. Further exposure to best industrial practice is offered through exercises, as well as visits to specialised institutions, including a three-week industrial attachment at a chemical company.

Support for the 2006 Associate Programme is provided by National Authorities, chemical industry associations, including the European Chemical Industry Council (CEFIC), and companies in Belgium, Denmark, France, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland, as well as the World Customs Organisation and several organisations in the Netherlands. In addition, the German National Authority will provide the Associates a briefing on the National Authority’s work.

The Governments of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and Japan have made a voluntary financial contribution towards this year’s programme.

PR41 / 2006

Categories: Associate Programme