Background
This regional meeting of National Authorities will serve as a forum in which the States Parties in the region will discuss the needs and priorities in implementation of the Convention at the national, subregional, and regional levels. The inputs from the participants and outcomes of the discussions will be considered when designing the fifth phase of the OPCW’s Programme to Strengthen Cooperation with Africa on the Chemical Weapons Convention. Apart from representatives of National Authorities and the African Union, the meeting will be open to interested international organisations and potential donors that may have a role in supporting the OPCW’s Africa Programme.
This regional meeting of National Authorities, to be held from 9 to 11 June 2020, will serve as a forum in which the States Parties in the region will discuss the needs, priorities, actions taken, and best practices in implementation of the Convention at the national, subregional, and regional levels, as well as the capacity-building support provided within the framework of the fifth phase of the OPCW’s Africa Programme.
In particular, the discussion will focus on such thematic issues as the adoption of national Convention implementing legislation, the development of Convention action plans, and the use of the Convention National Implementation Framework. Other matters that will be discussed include the implementation of industry-related obligations and cooperation with customs, safety and security issues, and enhancing capabilities of chemical laboratories. There will also be an overview of the results and impact achieved through assistance and cooperation programmes, such as the National Authorities Mentorship/Partnership Programme.
Objectives
- The national, subregional, and regional needs, priorities, actions, and best practices of The African States Parties in the implementation of the Convention
- The status and progress of implementation of the Africa Programme
- The status and progress of adoption of the national Convention implementing legislation in Africa, and in particular in the African States Parties that have yet to adopt comprehensive Convention legislation
- Best practices and experiences in the development of Convention action plans and the use of the Convention National Implementation Framework
- Best practices and experiences in the implementation of industry-related obligations and cooperation with customs
- Best practices and experiences in addressing chemical safety and security issues and in enhancing capabilities of chemical laboratories
- The benefits and best practices in bilateral cooperation related to implementation of the Mentorship/Partnership Programme
- In bilateral meetings between representatives of the Secretariat and National Authorities, issues pertaining to national implementation, and in meetings between representatives of National Authorities, potential bilateral cooperation within the framework of the Mentorship/Partnership Programme
Expected Results
- Improved understanding of the needs, priorities, actions, and best practices of the African States Parties, and of the progress of implementation of the Africa Programme
- Improved understanding of the existing practices that relate to implementation of various obligations under the Convention
- Identification of the best practices in the national implementation of the Convention that can inform the further operationalisation of the Convention National Implementation Framework
- Increased awareness of the benefits, results, and impact of participation in the Mentorship/Partnership Programme and other OPCW capacity-building activities
- An up-to-date understanding by the Secretariat of the status of Convention implementation in the region, especially in particular States Parties, to inform onward planning of its assistance and cooperation activities