The training was held for customs authorities in West and Central Africa from 11 to 14 April 2010 and attracted 37 participants from 15 States Parties*. It was the second course organised by the OPCW to offer comprehensive training on technical aspects of the Transfers regimes specifically for the two sub-regions.
The course was conducted under the second phase of the OPCW’s Programme to Strengthen Cooperation with Africa on the CWC (the “Africa Programme”), and supported with funding from the 2009 European Union (EU) Council Decision.
The training provided an overview of the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC), the work of the OPCW, the rights and obligations of States Parties, the role of National Authorities, and the need for effective stakeholder engagement. The agenda also covered the transfers-related provisions of the CWC and identification of chemicals relevant to the Convention, including recommendations of the World Customs Organization on identifying Scheduled chemicals in the Harmonised System.
The course familiarized participants with relevant information sources for customs officials and laboratories, including the Handbook on Chemicals, the Online Scheduled Chemicals database, the OPCW Central Analytical Database and other useful databases and websites. Participants discussed discrepancies in the reporting of transfers of Scheduled chemicals and practical customs-related matters such as the control of Scheduled chemicals in ports and free zones, risk assessment, transshipments, and software for customs services.
Participants received information on practical ways to implement the Convention’s provisions and to eliminate discrepancies between quantities of Scheduled chemicals declared by importing and exporting States Parties in respect of the same transfers. Practical exercises and group discussions enhanced their capacity to effectively track the import and export of Scheduled chemicals. The course also provided opportunities for participating customs authorities to share information and best practices in implementing the provisions of the transfers’ regime.
Information on the OPCW’s international cooperation and assistance programmes and on the progress made in delivering activities under the Africa Programme was also provided.
* Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Liberia, Niger, Nigeria, Republic of Congo, Senegal, Sierra Leone and Togo