CHEMEX GRULAC 2026

CHEMEX GRULAC is OPCW’s first large-scale multicomponent chemical emergency preparedness and response exercise in Latin America and the Caribbean.

The exercise tests the full chain of response in a chemical emergency — from operations in the hot zone to hospital care — under realistic, high-pressure conditions.

CHEMEX GRULAC 2026 will take place from 27 April to 7 May 2026 in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, a host country chosen for their proven coordination capacity and commitment to regional cooperation in chemical emergency preparedness and response.

What is CHEMEX?  

CHEMEX is OPCW’s flagship exercise on emergency preparedness and response to chemical incidents.   

The first edition, CHEMEX Africa, was held in Algeria in 2023 for African countries. It brought together African instructors and first responders for a two-week programme combining classroom instruction and field training. 

CHEMEX strengthens national and regional capacity to respond to incidents involving chemical warfare agents and toxic industrial chemicals. It combines technical instruction, practical exercises, and a large-scale integrated scenario. 

Participants train to: 

• strengthen theoretical and practical expertise in chemical emergency response 

• respond effectively to chemical incidents and mitigate their effects 

• equip institutions and emergency teams to manage chemical emergencies 

• develop coordinated procedures and mechanisms among emergency response institutions 

• strengthen national and regional assistance and protection systems 

Why is CHEMEX GRULAC important? 

Chemical emergencies require rapid, coordinated and technically sound response. 

CHEMEX GRULAC strengthens the ability of OPCW Member States in Latin America and the Caribbean to manage incidents involving chemical warfare agents and toxic industrial chemicals. A significant addition to CHEMEX GRULAC is a medical segment, in addition to the first responders segment.   

The exercise: 

• strengthens practical expertise in chemical emergency response 
• enhances coordination between first responders and medical professionals in responding to chemical incidents 
• encourages inter-agency and inter-country collaboration for more effective preparedness and response 
• reinforces regional synergies for joint action during emergencies 

The programme contributes to sustained chemical emergency preparedness and response across the region. 

Course content 

Over 90 experts, including participants and instructors, from 23 countries will take part in CHEMEX GRULAC 2026. 

The exercise runs over ten days and includes two parallel segments: 

First Responder Segment 

Training covers: 

• personal protective equipment (PPE) 
• detection and identification 
• decontamination 
• rescue operations 
• sampling 
• incident command 
• field exercises

Medical Segment 

Training covers: 

• prehospital care 
• hospital preparedness (HOSPREP) 
• medical management of exposure to chemical agents 
• field exercises

The programme concludes with a large-scale exercise involving all participants. 

The role of the OPCW in enhancing national response capabilities 

Under Article X of the Chemical Weapons Convention, the OPCW supports its Member States in strengthening national capacity for assistance and protection against chemical threats. 

Through training, technical expertise and practical exercises, the Organisation helps countries build and improve systems for responding to incidents involving chemical warfare agents and toxic industrial chemicals. 

CHEMEX is one of the OPCW’s practical tools to support this work.