THE HAGUE, Netherlands— 26 November 2023— Chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear substances and explosives (CBRN-E) professionals are expected to assist in investigations related to incidents or attacks involving toxic chemical agents and their precursors. To do so, these professionals need to know how to manage a complex chemical emergency environment, including how to collect, photograph and analyse samples and evidence from the scene of a chemical incident
To help build capacity among law enforcement and CBRN-E first responders, the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), the Italian National Authority’s Technical Operational Unit for the implementation of the Chemical Weapon Convention, with support of the ASEAN CBR Network, co-organised the fourth iteration of training for law enforcement professionals for Asian States Parties to the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC).
The training course consisted of two parts: an online course from 2 to 31 October and an in-person training from 14 to 25 November in Singapore. Participants learnt how to collect different types of samples from the scene of a chemical incident as well as how to photograph evidence and make risks assessments impacting on the level of protection that is needed while preparing their sampling plan. In addition, the course covered basic principles of the chain of custody, reporting and cataloguing procedures, such as procedures for personal safety, decontamination and forensic sampling.
Participants also had the opportunity to exchange know-how and best practices with each other, as well as with experts from the OPCW Technical Secretariat regarding incident response and the implementation of Article X of the CWC.
The online modules and the in-person training were attended by 24 professionals from eight OPCW Member States: Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand and Singapore
Background
Article X of the Convention provides for assistance and protection to a State Party if it is attacked or threatened with attack by chemical weapons. The OPCW Technical Secretariat organises trainings for first responders, government experts and emergency response units designed to build and develop national and regional capabilities and emergency response systems against the use, or threat of use, of chemical weapons.
As the implementing body for the Chemical Weapons Convention, the OPCW, with its 193 Member States, oversees the global endeavour to permanently eliminate chemical weapons. Since the Convention’s entry into force in 1997, it is the most successful disarmament treaty eliminating an entire class of weapons of mass destruction.
On 7 July 2023, the OPCW verified that all chemical weapons stockpiles declared by the 193 States Parties to the Chemical Weapons Convention since 1997 — totalling 72,304 metric tonnes of chemical agents — have been irreversibly destroyed under the OPCW’s strict verification regime.
For its extensive efforts in eliminating chemical weapons, the OPCW received the 2013 Nobel Peace Prize.