The event took place in Centurion, South Africa from 13 to 17 July 2009 and was the second Basic Course organised for the African region.
The National Authority of South Africa and the OPCW jointly organised a Basic Course for Personnel of National Authorities in Africa who are involved in the implementation of the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC). The event took place in Centurion, South Africa from 13 to 17 July 2009 and was the second Basic Course organised for the African region, the first having been held in Tshwane, South Africa in September 2008.
Representatives from 18 States Parties* participated in the course, which aims to enhance the capacity of National Authorities in Africa to implement the CWC and to foster closer cooperation on a regional and sub-regional basis.
The programme covered the history of the development and use of chemical weapons; an overview of the CWC and the OPCW; the rights and obligations of States Parties, establishment and effective functioning of National Authorities; the declarations and verification regimes of the CWC, the transfer provisions relating to the import and export of Scheduled chemicals; international cooperation and assistance activities, including promotion of the peaceful uses of chemistry; and a presentation on the OPCW’s Programme to Strengthen Cooperation with Africa.
During the roundtable discussions, participants exchanged information on the progress made by their National Authorities in implementing the Convention and the challenges they have encountered. The course also allowed for bilateral consultations between participants and the Technical Secretariat staff.
* Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cote D’Ivoire, Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Ghana, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Namibia, Seychelles, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia